Mental Health Services—Counselling & Psychotherapy
Counselling is non-judgmental listening by a trained counsellor who will not usually give you advice but encourage you to work out what you want and what your next steps would be. Counselling and psychotherapy can provide an opportunity to explore emotional problems in a confidential setting, and to look at difficulties arising from the past, which may be reflected in current relationships. Your doctor may have a counsellor attached to the GP practice and, if so, you will be able to get up to six free one-to-one counselling sessions on the NHS. Hunts.Mind has a list of practices which currently have counsellors attached, but the easiest way is just to ask at the practice. For details of services, which are available free on the NHS, see Hospital and community mental health services.
Private psychotherapists and counsellors
There are many private psychotherapists and counsellors in the Huntingdon area. Look up ‘Psychotherapy and Analysis’ and ‘Counselling and Advice’ in the Yellow Pages. The British Association of Counselling, listed in the contacts will send details of counsellors (and their qualifications) living in the Huntingdon Area. You can also get details of local psychotherapists from the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). This is the national umbrella organisation for all the psychotherapies, and annually publishes a National Register of Psychotherapists who have been trained by a member organisation and abide by a UKCP approved Code of Ethics. Hunts.Mind keeps an up-to-date copy of the BAC and UKCP Cambridgeshire lists. Remember that people can set themselves up as counsellors or psychotherapists with no training. A personal recommendation is probably best, but ask people to explain their approach to you, as there are many different kinds of counselling and what suits one person will not suit everyone. It is very important that you feel you can trust the person you choose as your counsellor or therapist. Hunts.Mind also has booklets telling you what to look for when choosing a counsellor.
You can also select an organisation by looking up the relevant heading in the section Mental Health Issues.
Links
Mind has produced a booklet (http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+talking+treatments.htm) on understanding talking treatments.
Local Contacts
ADDACTION
Whitwell Chambers
Ferrars Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3DH
DIAL druglink offer free counselling, advice, information and support to drug users and their families and clients in the
criminal justice system. Telephone advice and support is available Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm. Counselling, needle exchange 9.00am
- 4.00pm. (Tuesday until 8.00pm) every day. There is a drop–in Monday – Thursday 1.00pm - 4 .00pm.
Referrals are taken from clients,
GP’s and other agencies such as health, social and probation workers. Shiatsu massage, by appointment on Tuesdays, free. The service
is mainly agency based, but home visits are available for needle exchange collections or for those with severe disabilities.
AICH
(Advice, Information, Counselling in Huntingdonshire)
20 St Bendedict Court
Princes Street
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE29 3PN
Tel: 01480 435061
Email: aich@aich.org.uk
Website: www.aich.org.uk
AICH is a free counselling service, available to anyone between the ages of 14 and 25, who lives in Huntingdonshire and Fenland. Counselling is a service provided by friendly, professional people in strict confidence.They offer help to young people who are experiencing difficult times or situations, for any reason; whether you are being bullied, have problems at home, have trouble controlling your anger or you feel depressed or anxious.
Their main office is in St Benedict’s court, Huntingdon.
They also have counsellors based at:
- Hinchingbrooke School (Pupils only)
- St Peters School, Huntingdon (Pupils only)
- Paines Mill Foyer, St Neots
- Longsands School, St Neots (Pupils only)
- Marshall Road Family Centre, St Neots
- Sawtry Community College (Pupils only)
- Ramsey Abbey College (Pupils only)
- Fenland Junction, March (Pupils only)
- Neale Wade School,March (Pupils only)
- Council Chambers, Chatteris
Alcohol Anonymous, Cambridgeshire
Helpline: 01603 621 128
General Service Office 01904 644026 Mondays – Thursday from 9.00-5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00-4.30pm.
They are a voluntary fellowship of people who are alcoholics and who help each other to achieve and maintain sobriety by sharing experiences and mutual support.
Cambridgeshire Consultancy in Counselling
Wicket's End
Little Casterton
Stamford
Lincs
PE9 4BE
Tel: 01223 312597
Website: www.cambridgeshirecounselling.org.uk
Experienced counsellors offering one-to-one counselling. The fee is negotiable, depending on income. They adhere to the BACP Code of Ethics.
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre
Box R, 12 Mill Road
Cambridge
CB1 2AD
Tel: 01223 245888
They provide information, advice and support for women survivors of rape and sexual abuse and those supporting them. Telephone and face-to-face support offered. Phone Wednesdays 7.00-9.00pm and Saturdays 11.00am - 5.00pm, answerphone at other times.
Cambridge Society for Psychotherapy
PO Box 620
Cambridge
CB1 OGX
Tel: 01223 510229
Email: info@cambridge-psychotherapy.org.uk
Website: www.cambridge-psychotherapy.org.uk
The society is able to offer individual therapy to both adults and children, as well as therapy to couples and families. The society adheres to a UKCP endorsed code of ethics.
Choices for Men
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 505089
Helpline: 01223 471574
This service offers free and confidential counselling and support to men whose lives have been affected by sexual abuse.
Choices for Women
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 416616
They offer a free and confidential counselling service for those whose lives are affected by child sexual abuse. There is a telephone helpline (01223 471574) and support/self help groups for survivors. Information/supervision group for workers and training on the effects of sexual abuse. There is a comprehensive library on the effects of child sexual abuse and recovery. All books, articles and videos are available on loan. The office is open Monday to Thursday, an answerphone is available when office unmanned. Women can refer themselves.
CRUSE Bereavement Care
(Huntingdon Branch)
Mr.John Green
85, Longsands Road
St Neots
Huntingdon
PE19 1TW
Tel: 01480 414511 (helpline)
Cruse provides help for bereaved people in the Huntingdon health area. Free one-to-one counselling is available by trained counsellors. Support is also offered through social events and drop-ins in St. Ives, Huntingdon and St. Neots and you are welcome to call in for a chat and a coffee. The service is available for children as well as adults, and the counselling is provided by visiting people in their homes.
CUSU LesBiGay Society
Tel: 01223 740777
Email: online@cusu.lbgt.com
Website: www.cusu-lbgt.com
This service is open to all Cambridge University Students providing welfare support, a positive social environment and political forum for lesbian, bisexual and gay students. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year, provides publications and runs a number of welfare schemes. The phoneline is staffed by trained volunteers drawn from LesBiGay’s membership on Tuesdays during term time from 8.00pm-10.00pm.
DHIVERSE
The Maple Centre
6 Oak Drive
Huntingdon
PE29 8HN
Tel: 01480 420011
Email: info@dhiverse.org.uk
Website: www.dhiverse.org.uk
DHIVERSE provides a variety of HIV prevention and support services, including outreach, training, counselling, complementary therapies and befriending. They also run a gay men’s health project and facilitate a ‘Body Positive’ group for HIV positive people. The office is staffed from Monday to Friday 9.30am-5.00pm. We are always pleased to hear from callers interested in using our services, as well as from people interested in volunteering with us.
Dialdruglink
38a High Street
St. Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 1JA
Tel: 01480 474974
Email: Suzanne.Hare@dialdruglink.com
Website: www.dialdruglink.com
Drinksense
1 Ferrars Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3DH
Tel: 01480 456956
Email: huntingdon@drinksense.org
Drinksense offers free one-to-one counselling and support for drinkers, their families and carers. Generally people self refer but third party referrals are accepted with the client’s consent. Telephone support can also be arranged. Training and consultancy for paid workers, volunteers, and employers is also available at a cost.
Ely Diocesan Committee for Family and Social Welfare
Bishops Woodford House
Diocesan Office
Barton Road
Ely
Cambs
CB7 4DX
Tel: 01353 652719
Email: office@ely.anglican.org
Website: www.ely.anglican.org
CFSW is a registered charity, established under the Diocese of Ely. It provides an independent social work service to anyone in the Diocese (of any or no religion) who might prefer to consult a Christian worker independent of ‘the system’. Four, part-time, experienced Social Workers are employed. Some of the areas of work they cover are family support, counselling, mental and physical disability, benefits and debt problems, addiction, the elderly, bereavement and abuse counselling, and general guidance and support. Clients can be supported on a long-term basis to help prevent further crises from arising. The office is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9.30am-12.30pm (answerphone after hours).
Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust
Clinic 6
The Oak Tree Centre
1 Oak Drive
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE29 7HN
Tel: 01480 418555
They provide a wide range of counselling services to clients of Clinic 6 (genito-urinary medicine). People can self refer but do need to make an appointment. Clinic opening times are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings between 8.50-11.50am.
Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust
Family Planning Service
The Oak Tree Centre
1 Oak Drive
Huntingdon
Cambs
PE29 7HN
Tel: 01480 418577
The clinic is open Monday from 2pm - 4.30pm - ring for an appointment.
Hinchingbrooke Healthcare NHS Trust
Support Team (HIV)
The Newtown Centre
Nursery Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3RJ
Tel: 01480 415333 (confidential number)
Contact: Mandee Worrall
This team is made up of specialist nurses, and a social worker that has experience in the HIV field. There
are also volunteers who have received training about HIV/AIDS and are available to befriend people and provide support and practical
help. This service provides continuous support to people in their own homes, in hospital and other settings. To protect confidentiality,
no team member will use caller display equipment or call return. Withhold 141 will be used when making calls to clients (as available
to BT telephone users.)
Hunts Mind
The Limes
24 New Street
St. Neots
Cambs
PE19 1AJ
Tel: 01480 470480
Email: communityprojectmanager@huntsmind.org.uk
Website: www.huntsmind.org.uk
Hunts Mind is a local voluntary organisation,affiliated to National Mind, run by a team of staff in conjunction with volunteers and service users.
They currently provide:
- Peer Focused Support - such as Borderline Personality Disorder Group
- Social Support - known as Open Door Groups which are held during the day and evenings
- Rural Development - a project that specifically supports people in the most rural areas, such as Ramsey and Warboys.
- Skills Builder and Focused Groups - such as the Allotment group. Apron Strings (cookery), the Rock Group, Sports and Computer/Media and Newsletter Group.
- Counselling & Therapy - 1:1 counselling and group therapy through Art.
- Volunteering - supporting people to volunteer within our service or to other local agencies or organisations.
- Information - we have a wide range of information on mental health issues and related topics for service users, carers and the general public at our main office at The Limes and also at satellite points located at various points around the vicinity.
Hunts Mind will not discriminate against any individual based on diagnosis but will provide services in accordance with service users needs. It is expected that the majority of service users will experience mild to moderate mental health problems. However more acutely unwell individuals will not be excluded from the service.
Due to their current funding criteria, the age range for service users is 17 - 65 and they encourage people to self refer. If you would like to become a service user or refer someone then please contact the Project Worker Team on the number above.
Hunts Mind aims are to raise the profile of mental health issues in the community and to combat prejudice and misinformation. They also aim to empower current and past service users to become involved in the development of the organisation at every level.
Hunts Mind supports and facilitates the Hunts User Forum, People of Potential.
A close working partnership with local health providers also increases the opportunities for people to engage in sports and leisure activities using their local facilities.
The SexYouality Project (2BYouth)
Office B
Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
c/o PO Box Kite
Cambridge
CB1 2LJ
Helpline: 0780 8189158
Tuesday evenings 6.30-8.30pm
Email info@2byouth.co.uk
Website: www.2byouth.co.uk
The Kite Project is a social and support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered young people in the Cambridgeshire area. There are two youth groups. Kite One for under 18 year olds and Kite 2 for 18 – 25 year olds. The Kite Project is run by SexYOUality, a multi-agency voluntary organisation.
Phoenix Counselling Practice
41 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB1 0SA
Tel: 01223 571613
Two experienced women counsellors offering individual general counselling. Members of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Concessionary rates are available.
The Group Therapy Centre
3 Downing Place
Cambridge
CB2 3EL
Tel: 01223 357221
Email: info@grouptherapycentres.org.uk
Website: www.grouptherapycentres.org.uk
Office open: 9.00am-5.00pm Monday to Friday, except for Bank Holidays.
The Centre provides free group therapy in the daytime. In
the evening there is a fee of £9 per session.
Groups are effective for a wide range of emotional conditions, whether these are experienced
as within oneself or in relation to others. As well as talking, some groups make use of art, music or drama in order to facilitate
the therapy. All groups are confidential. The groups meet weekly. A minimum commitment of six months is required, and, for the daytime
groups, a place is offered for up to two years. In order to meet the needs of people living out of the city, a group is run in Sawston.
A specialist group is run for people diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, currently in conjunction with the NHS. Enquiries can be made
about this group to the centre. The centre is run by professionally qualified staff and funded by health and social services. Please
phone for an appointment. Self referrals are welcome.
Relate, Cambridge
3 Brooklands Avenue
Cambridge
CB2 2BB
Tel: 01223 357424
Website: www.relatecambridge.org.uk
Relate offers confidential support and counselling to any individual or couple experiencing relationship difficulties. It also provides a sex therapy service. They provide counselling in Cambridge, Milton, Ely, Eaton Socon, St Ives and Huntingdon. Their education and training service offers a range of courses for the general public and organisations. Appointments are available Mondays to Fridays 9.00am-9.00pm and 9.00am-1.00pm on Saturdays. To make an appointment, telephone Mondays to Fridays during office hours. All clients are asked to make a payment if possible.
Relate, Peterborough
66 Broadway
Peterborough
PE1 1SU
Tel: 01733 568551
Email: info@relatepeterborough.co.uk
As above but not open on Saturdays. Also they are unable to offer the drop-in crisis counselling service but provide family counselling and talk time sessions for children and young people. They provide counselling in Stamford, Wisbech and March and are able to offer counselling for those in and near Huntingdon. Those requiring this service would have to travel to Peterborough.
Young Persons Clinic (under 20yrs)
Newtown Centre
Nursery Road
Huntingdon
Monday at 3.30pm - 6.00pm. No appointments necessary but for information please ring 01480
415290.
The Place
Almond Road Clinic
St Neots
Thursday at 3.30pm - 6.00pm. No appointments necessary but you can ring 01480 472261
for more information.
For over 20 years, every Tuesday at 6.30-9.pm and the first, second and fourth Thursday of the month.
National Contacts
Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
61 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888
Email: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers. For details of meetings in the Huntingdon area contact the above phone number between 10.00-10.00pm weekdays. Outside these hours please ring the above number for other times.
The Beaumont Society
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
Information Line: 01582 412220
Email: enquiries@beaumontsociety.org.uk
Website: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk
This organisation is run for, and by, people who like to wear the clothes of the opposite gender and people who may be Transsexual. There are members throughout the country, with local groups in most areas.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
15 St. Johns Business Park
Lutterworth
Leicestershire
LE17 4HB
Tel: 0870 443 5252
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
Send a stamped addressed envelope.
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies
Victoria Buildings
9-13 Silver Street
Bury
BL9 0EU
Tel: 0161 797 4484
Email: babcp@babcp.com
Website: www.babcp.com
Please telephone for information on accredited psychotherapists. Open 9.30-5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Beating Eating Disorders (BEAT)
103 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich
NR1 1DW
Tel: 0870 770 3256
Email: help@b-eat.co.uk
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
Helpline: 0845 6341414 8.30am-8.30pm Monday-Friday
Youthline: 0845 6347650 4.00-6.30pm Monday-Friday
A national charity offering information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa. It aims to campaign to improve standards of treatment and care and to raise awareness of eating disorders and related issues.
Services include:
- General helpline open from 8.30am-8.30pm Monday to Friday
- UK wide network of self-help and support groups, postal and telephone contacts
- Membership which includes a regular newsletter
- A range of information leaflets, posters and books
- Youthline helpline and support service for young people aged 18 years and under open 4.00pm-6.30pm every day.
Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (COMBAT STRESS)
Head Office: Tyrwhitt House
Oaklawn Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 OBX
Tel: 01372 841600
Email: contactus@combatstress.org.uk
Website: www.combatstress.org.uk
They are the only organisation helping ex-servicemen/women of all ranks of the three services and the Merchant Navy suffering mental disability due to their service career. We have a network of twelve welfare officers who visit at home or hospital, and can help with war pensions and appeals, and three treatment centres in Surrey, Shropshire and Ayrshire offering respite care, also a welfare office in Northern Ireland.
Ex-services Mental Welfare Society (West Midlands)
Audley Court
Audley Avenue
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 7BT
Tel: 01952 822700/822750
Email: wstn01@combatstress.org.uk
Website: www.combatstress.org.uk
The society provides free counselling and practical help (e.g. war disablement pension claims) for ex-services people. It also runs treatment centres for psychological injuries. Phone the above number 9.00am-5.00pm on weekdays to arrange an appointment with a local welfare officer.
First Steps To Freedom
Helpline: 0845 120 2916
Website: www.first-steps.org
Offers advice, support and counselling to people who suffer from phobias, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, eating disorders and people who wish to come off tranquillisers. Can also support their carers. Produces leaflets, booklets, videos & relaxation tapes. Available daily 10am-10pm.
Freedom Club (2BYouth)
Tel: 01480 398036
Website: www.freedomclub.org.uk
This service offers a safe supportive meeting place for young people (aged 16-23), who are or think they may be lesbian, gay or bisexual. Telephone for free information, support and advice. Confidentiality assured.
Gamblers Anonymous
PO Box 5382
London W1A 6SA
Tel: 0207384 3040 (24 hrs advice and support line)
Tel: 0762 694 7800 (free literature)
Gam-Anon for family and friends of compulsive gamblers is at the same telephone number.
Institute of Psychotherapy and Social Studies (IPSS)
PO Box 1067
Enfield
EN1 9GR
Tel: 0845 271 3303
Email: info@ipss-psycotherapy.org
Referral email: referrals@ipss-psychotherapy.org
The IPSS offers a consultation and referral service to people considering psychotherapy. Sliding scale of fees. Low cost therapy is available. The Institute is a member organisation of the UKCP, and abides by the council’s code of ethics.
London Centre for Psychotherapy
32 Leighton Road
Kentish Town
London
NW5 2QE
Tel: 020 7482 2002
Email: info@lcp-psychotherapy.org.uk
Website: www.lcp-psychotherapy.org.uk
Provides analytic psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups in London and other parts of the country. Some low-fee vacancies available. Training courses for psychotherapists. Specialist courses in infant observation and assessment; supervision for counsellors.
Overeaters Anonymous Cambridgeshire
Tel: 01480 353639
Contact: Alison
This is a confidential self-help group run along the same lines as Alcoholics Anonymous, with a structured 12-step programme of recovery. The group is for anyone who suffers from an eating problem - either anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating. Meetings are held on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at Oddfellows Hall, 131 Newmarket Road, Cambridge.
No Panic
Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 0545
10am-10pm everyday
Website: www.no-panic.co.uk
You can phone to request an information pack on panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder and to find out the number of the day’s phone counsellor.
United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
2nd Floor Edward House
2 Wakely Street
London ECIV 7LT
Tel: 0207 014 9977
Email: info@psycotherapy.org.uk
Website: www.psychotherapy.org.uk
Youth2Youth
Tel: 0208 896 3675
Website: www.youth2youth.co.uk
This service is run by Mind in Ealing – a youth counselling and information service for people under 23 years. This service enables those to talk to a team of trained young volunteers confidentially. Times open are Monday and Thursday evenings 6.30 – 9.30pm. A call back service is available Monday and Thursday from 6.30 – 7.30pm.
