What is counselling?
Counselling offers a safe space to talk through any difficulties in your life. It is a space to discuss and explore your experiences, feelings and concerns, with a trained professional, in a non-judgmental and non-directive way.
Counselling is different from talking to friends or family, as you can say whatever you wish, without fear of being made to feel foolish or told what to do.
Counselling can help people who have difficulties with depression, anxiety, self-harm, coming to terms with loss and change, problems in relationships, domestic violence, substance misuse, self esteem, trauma and other difficult life experiences.
Counselling is not advice, advocacy or practical support – it provides emotional support in speaking about feelings and experiences, and can help you to understand yourself better and make positive changes for the future.
What can the WSC Counselling service offer me?
The WSC Counselling service is available for women in Surrey who are affected by the criminal justice system and/or at risk of offending.
We offer up to 12 weeks of free confidential individual counselling with a trained counsellor.
We also provide self-development groups for women to share their experiences and support one another in making positive changes.
We are independent from the criminal justice system and work in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy ‘Ethical framework for Good Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy’.
How can I get counselling?
If you would like to access the WSC counselling service please ask your WSC worker, probation officer or another professional to refer you. It is possible for you to refer yourself as well. You can refer via the website here.
You will then be invited to an initial assessment session with a counsellor so you can get more information and decide if the WSC counselling service is right for you. If you decide you would like counselling we will add you to the waiting list.
What happens at a counselling assessment?
This leaflet explains more about the counselling service and the assessment.
Looking to volunteer as a counsellor?
Please see our vacancies page for more information.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is very important in counselling. We will not tell anyone that you have had contact with WSC or attended for counselling without your permission.
There are some very special situations where we would have to break confidentiality. These are generally concerned with situations where we have good reason to believe that you intend to cause serious harm to yourself or to someone else, or if child abuse is disclosed to us. There are also some situations where we might be legally obliged to disclose information.
Our Confidentiality Policy will be explained to you at the assessment session.