“My life has changed as a result of this counselling.  I am so greatful!  For six years I have been pushed from pillar to post without any help and now finally I actually feel better about myself.  I have been given the help I needed.  I feel strong enough to take on the rest of my life whatever it may bring.  To all the staff at Mind in Croydon I thank you.  Keep up the good work!"

Is there a particular area of your life that is causing distress? Counselling can provide an opportunity to talk to someone who is trained to listen. It can help you make sense of the feelings experienced and enable you to see the difficulty in a more manageable way.

We provide a high quality professional service in a confidential and safe setting. Our Counselling Service provides one-to-one counselling, and group therapy. It also includes a Crisis Response service for people suffering a mental health crisis.

More than half of the people who came for counselling with us said that as a result of their counselling they were having to see their GP less often.

Clients can self refer by ringing 020 8763 2064 and giving their name and address.  An information pack will then be sent detailing how the service works and what to expect from it.  If, after reading the information, you decide you would like to proceed, a short questionnaire will be sent to you for completion.  The questionnaire aids the counsellor in making a decision about the best way forward for you.

All clients have an initial assessment where a decision is made on what the most appropriate treatment is for them. You will be given an opportunity to talk about your difficulties, and you will also find out more about the service.

If you would benefit from further counselling, we will arrange for you to see a counsellor on a regular basis. There is normally a waiting list. How long you have to wait will depend on your needs and availability.

We can help you deal with any problems that are causing emotional distress.  Many counsellors have specialist skills in areas including:

• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Family issues
• Group Therapy
• Relationships
• Sexual abuse

We will make every effort to place you with a counsellor who is best equipped to deal with your problem.

The cost
Many people are concerned about the cost involved in counselling, but you will only be asked to make a contribution towards administration costs. You should contribute what you can afford, and our current minimum contribution if you are waged is £10, and unwaged is £3.

If you need to know more
If you wish to find out more about counselling at Mind in Croydon, you can download our counselling leaflet, or refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. Confidentiality can be a concern to some people seeking counselling services, and our confidentiality policy is also available for you to download. If you are interested in a counselling placement click here for an application form.   Click here to view all job description details.  If you are contemplating counselling it can be a daunting prospect if you are entering into the unknown, and these resources aim to answer any questions you may have. More general information about counselling, and how it might benefit you, is available via our Links page.