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

Cruse Bereavement Care
c/o PCVS
3 Lincoln Road
Peterborough

Tel: 01733 348439
Bereavement Helpline: 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

Cruse is a national charity that aims to care for the bereaved (over 18 yrs) by providing free counselling, social support and information. It offers personal help from carefully chosen and trained counsellors who talk to clients in confidence. Through a programme of social activities it provides people with an opportunity to rebuild their lives, as well as offering advice and guidance with practical problems e.g. financial concerns. The services are not suitable for those with severe mental health problems. Referral is direct. Clients leave a message on the answerphone service and are called back by the secretary. Counsellors visit people in their homes, and there is also a weekly coffee morning at Oasis. Volunteers work as counsellors and befrienders.

Drinksense
79a Eastfield Road
Peterborough
PE1 4AS

Tel: 01733 555532

Email: centraloffice@drinksense.org
Website: www.drinksense.org

Drinksense is a professional service that offers free counselling, support, advice and education to anyone - people/families and carers - with alcohol related problems or concerns. The office is open on Monday to Thursday from 9.15am to 2.3opm and 9.15am to 1.15pm on a Friday and a drop in service is provided on Monday 1-3pm, Wednesday 4-6pm and Thursday 1-3pm. Initial interviews must be booked in advance. Their premises are fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Drinksense has two offices in Peterborough, one in Eastfield Road and one on London Road. The Young People and Adult Outreach Services for Peterborough are also based at Eastfield Road where a walk-in service operates; offering an opportunity to call in and discuss any concerns you may have about your own, or someone else's drinking, and other issues or concerns you have around alcohol use. The walk-in service offers access to all the services in Peterborough, including referral to the London Road Treatment Centre.

Drinksense Alcohol Services Centre
169 London Road
Peterborough
PE2 9DS

Tel: 01733 551575

The Drinksense Alcohol Service Centre is based at London Road is is staffed by a multidisciplinary team in partnership with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust. The following services can be accessed here:

• Counselling and therapy
• Specialist Community Psychiatric Nursing

There specialist staff can support you with health concerns, community detox or organise a hospital detox for you. A consultant psychiatrist is also available for specialist assessment.

• Support services for friends/relatives of problem drinkers are also offered at London Road
• The Family Support Worker is based at London Road, providing advice and support for children who live in a family where alcohol is a problem.
• A social support group meets on a weekly basis offering a relaxed place to meet others, and share stories and experiences. The group is run by two members of the London Road Team and should this be appropriate for you, your key worker will invite you to join the group.

Marriage Care (Catholic Marriage Care)
St. Lukes Church
26 Benyon Grove
Orton Malbourne
Peterborough
PE2 5XS

Tel: 0800 389 3801
Website: www.marriagecare.org.uk

Marriage Care offers a confidential, remedial counselling service to couples and individuals who are experiencing difficulties in their marriages/relationships. In addition Marriage Care runs marriage preparation courses and workshops and relationship education to schools and parishes. The services are not suitable for those with drug alcohol related problems. Referral is direct and clients can contact the Secretary to arrange either daytime or evening appointments. All services take place at their premises and cover those living in the Greater Peterborough area, Market Deeping, Huntingdon and Oundle. Clients are expected to donate towards the cost of the service where affordable. Marriage Care employs volunteers who work as counsellors nd as part of the management team. Their premises are accessible to disabled people.

Peterborough Drug Services
49-51 Broadway
Peterborough
PE1 1SQ

Tel: 01733 314551

In partnership with The Community Drug Team at 62 Lincoln Road, offer a professional service available to drug users, anyone with drug-related concerns and professional organisations in the Peterborough and Fenland Area. help ranges from education and training, to complementary therapies and community work and is provided in person at their premises and/or by phone. There is also a 1:1 drop-in needle exchange.

Peterborough Community Drug Team
62 Lincoln Road
Peterborough
Tel: 01733 898285

In partnership with Peterborough Drug Services at 49-51 Broadway, the Community Drug Team is a treatment agency for adults experiencing problems around substance misuse, living in the Peterborough and Fenland areas. The services include: a needle and syringe exchange; advice and support for the pregnant drug user; mental health assessment; and health advice and information around HIV and hepatitis; with access and referral to other helping agencies.

Peterborough HIV Support Services
The Old House
33 Thorpe road
Peterborough
PE3 6AD

Tel: 01733 311555
Email: phssoffice@btinternet.com
Website: www.phss.org.uk

PHSS provides a befriending service for people in the greater Peterborough area with, at risk from, or otherwise affected by HIV; an education service providing workshops for schools and community groups; and an outreach service to the gay community. The services are provided by phone and on the premises, in outreach and other community venues. Referral can be through outreach work, by telephone, social services and other statutory or voluntary agencies. There are no charges for any services. Volunteers help with befriending and education work. The service can e contacted during office hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Helpline is open from 7.30-9.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is a ramp at the front door but no disabled toilet facilities.

Peterborough Mediation
80a Lincoln Road
Peterborough
PE1 2SN

Tel: 01733 566536

Peterborough Mediation provides an independent, impartial and confidential mediation service as a means of resolving disputes between individuals, groups and organisations. This service is free to clients who live within the area covered by Peterborough City Council. The office is open 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday with an answerphone service available for other times. Home visits and mediation sessions are undertaken Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm.

Peterborough and District Family Mediation Service
61 Broadway
Peterborough
PE1 1SX

Tel: 01733 347353
Email: info@peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk
Website: www.peterboroughfamilymediation.co.uk

The service offers mediation in all couple and family disputes particularly those related to separation, divorce and parental conflict. Any issues can be addressed including those concerning children, finance and property. The aim is to help participants in the mediation reach their own agreed decisions and plans for the future. Each should be able to recognise those decisions as fair and reasonable in the circumstances. The intention is to work towards minimising conflict and bitterness and to focus on the needs of any children involved.

Talktime is an additional service offering counselling to children between the ages 6 and 19 who are experiencing difficulties connected with separation, divorce or parental conflict.

Relate, Peterborough
66 Broadway
Peterborough
PE1 1SU

Tel: 01733 568551
Email: info@relatepeterborough.co.uk

Relate offers confidential support and counselling to any individual or couple experiencing relationship difficulties, Mon - Fri 9.30 - 8.15pm It also provides a sex therapy service. 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.

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

BACP is a membership organisation whose aims are to promote the understanding and awareness of counselling throughout society, and to respond to enquiries from the general public regarding information about counsellors. On receipt of a SAE a list of private local counsellors can be provided.

British Association of Psychotherapists
37 Mapesbury Road
London NW2 4HJ

Tel: 0208 452 9823
Website: www.bap-psychotherapy.org

The BAP offers training leading to professional qualifications in child and adult psychotherapy, a two year MSC Course and a range of external courses for professionals. A clinical service is offered for children, adolescent and adults requiring psychotherapy.

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.

Gender Identity Consultancy Service
BM Box 5434
London WCIN 3XX

Tel: 0171 828 9575
Email: gics@aol.com

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.