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How Can Counselling Help You
Life can bring challenges that sometimes feel difficult to manage alone. Counselling can offer valuable support if you are experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, bereavement, relationship difficulties, unemployment or low self-esteem. You may be struggling with difficult emotions, changes in your circumstances, past experiences or simply feeling overwhelmed without fully understanding why. Talking to a counsellor provides a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to explore your thoughts and feelings, make sense of your experiences and develop a greater understanding of yourself.
Counselling can help you recognise patterns in your thoughts and behaviours, build self-awareness, develop healthier coping strategies and find new ways of approaching life's challenges. At Care To Listen, we believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, understood and supported, and we aim to make professional counselling accessible and affordable to our community.
In-Person and Online Therapy
At Care To Listen, we offer both face-to-face counselling and online counselling, giving you the flexibility to choose the approach that feels most comfortable and convenient for you.
Face-to-face sessions provide the opportunity to meet your counsellor in person, offering a dedicated space away from the distractions of everyday life to talk openly and explore your feelings.
Online counselling allows you to access professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home, without the need to travel. This can be particularly helpful if you have work or family commitments, mobility difficulties or find it easier to talk from a familiar environment.
Both approaches offer a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings, work through challenges and focus on your emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to make accessing affordable counselling as flexible and accessible as possible.
Our team includes both male and female counsellors from a wide range of backgrounds and ethnicities. We carefully select our counsellors for their compassionate and professional approach, helping clients feel respected and supported while accessing counselling.
Starting Counselling: A Step-by-Step Guide
Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, but we aim to make the process as simple, welcoming and straightforward as possible.
1. Book your initial assessment
You can book an initial assessment online using our booking system, where you can view available appointments and choose a time that suits you. Alternatively, if you would prefer to speak to someone first, you are welcome to give us a call. 020 8616 2160 or there is a contact form at the bottom of this page.
2. Your initial assessment (50 minutes)
Your initial assessment is a confidential 50-minute telephone conversation with one of our qualified counsellors. Depending on availability, we can often offer appointments within 24–48 hours, or at a time that is convenient for you.
The conversation is an opportunity for us to understand what has brought you to counselling, what you would like to achieve, and the type of support you are looking for. We will ask a few questions about your current difficulties, personal history, relationships and preferences for counselling. There is no need to prepare anything – the conversation is simply a chance for us to get to know you and understand your needs.
3. Finding the right counsellor for you
Following your assessment, our clinical team will carefully consider your individual circumstances, needs and preferences to match you with a suitable counsellor. We will also take into account counsellor availability and whether you would prefer face-to-face or online sessions.
We aim to have you matched and ready to begin counselling within a couple of weeks of your initial assessment but we can work with you at your pace as well.
4. Begin your counselling sessions
Counselling is initially offered for 12 weeks, giving you time and space to explore your issues.. However, everyone's circumstances and needs are different. You may feel ready to finish earlier, or you and your counsellor may feel that additional sessions would be beneficial. Any extension will be discussed between you and your counsellor.
5. Weekly payments
Payments are made weekly throughout your counselling sessions. We aim to keep our counselling as affordable and accessible as possible. You can find out more about our suggested contributions and counselling costs on our Fees & Donations page.
Remember, counselling is your journey. We want you to feel comfortable, supported and in control of the process, from your first conversation with us through to your final session.