WHAT IS COUNSELLING?

Counselling…

  • Is based on listening, not advice giving, within a caring, accepting relationship
  • Is talking with a trained counsellor to help relieve and free a difficult situation
  • Can enable personal growth and decision making

WHO CAN COME TO US?

  • Anyone  – 18 years and over
  • The service is for the whole community regardless of race, income, religion, gender, sexuality or type of problem.
  • Our counsellors volunteer their time so we are able to offer counselling regardless of your ability to pay a full rate. However a donation for each counselling session indicates the commitment to the counselling process.
  • We have ground floor counselling rooms and a ground floor toilet.
    Please note that there is a small step at the entrance of the building.
  • If you have reduced mobility, please mention this when booking your initial appointment and we will do our best to meet your needs
  • 14 St Clement Street is not accessible for wheelchairs.
  • We may be able to arrange the use of an accessible room where necessary.

HOW LONG WILL COUNSELLING TAKE?

You can continue counselling until you feel that you are ready to finish, up to a limit of one year.

WHO ARE OUR COUNSELLORS?

Our Counsellors…

  • Have completed training to academic level 5 or above, or are in the finishing stages of this level of training
  • Are selected by interview and by reference from tutors as counsellors who are prepared and competent to work with clients
  • Work under regular professional supervision and are provided with in-house supervision in line with the BARC guidelines to ensure best practice
  • Agree with the values and ethos of The Olive Branch
  • Are members of the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Are all DBS checked and agree with our policies and procedures

OUR VALUES

The Olive Branch holds to the Professional Code of Conduct and the Ethical Framework outlined by The British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists’ (BACP).

All volunteers agree to work within these principles, and this ensures that our therapists will offer clients an environment which:-

  • Is non-judgemental – No judgements are made on past or present lifestyle choices
  • Values each person as an individual – We all have the right to hold our own beliefs, and to make our own decisions in all matters which do not harm to ourselves or to others
  • Upholds the highest standards professionally and ethically through honesty, confidentiality and moral integrity
  • Ensures that all counselling is undertaken with the values of integrity, impartiality and respect
  • Is safe – All reasonable steps are taken to ensure a client’s safety
  • Is confidential – All that is said is held in confidence except in very specific circumstances (the limitations to the commitment to confidentiality are made clear to all clients)
  • Respects Data Privacy – Only necessary information is requested from clients and is held securely
  • Holds clear contracts and boundaries – The terms on which counselling is offered is made clear before counselling commences
  • Ensures competence – The Olive Branch ensures that its volunteers have attained the necessary educational and professional level to offer counselling, and that all counsellors work within the limits of their competency

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Phone 01962 842858 to arrange an initial meeting.

This will be an opportunity for you to say what you want from counselling and to see whether The Olive Branch is the right place and we can offer you a service.

You will then be on the waiting list and a Counsellor will contact you to arrange a regular weekly counselling time.

Confidentiality is strictly maintained.