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.Lifecraft 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. Lifecraft 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.
Mind: Talking treatments
www.mind.org.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists: Talking therapies
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
Local Contacts
Addaction
Mill House
Brookfields Hospital Site
351 Mill Road
Cambridge
CB1 3DF
This will change, as they intend to move into new premises in the future. If details have changed, contact head office: 0207 251 5860 for new details.
Tel: 01223 723020
Email: a.whitton@addaction.org.uk
Website: www.addaction.org.uk
Opening hours for enquiries: initially 10.00am – 4.00pm, Monday - Friday. This will be extended to cover 2 evenings / week and Saturdays in the future. The service will offer a range of support services for adults with substance misuse issues. These services will include advice and information, needle exchange, open access services (including complementary therapies), prescribing services, group work, counselling support and one-to-one dedicated key work support. Wraparound services incorporating housing, lifeskills, education and training will also be provided through close partnership work. Addaction offers services across Cambridgeshire. The Cambridge based service will provide coverage to sites in East Cambridgeshire (including Ely), Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire. Referrals can be generated by individuals or other agencies.
Anglia Ruskin University Counselling Service
Helmore
341 East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT
Tel: 0845 1962598 or 0845 1962298
Website: www.anglia.ac.uk/counselling
One-to-one counselling is available free to students of ARU.
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
Last appointment one hour before closing.
Cambridge Associates in Child Abuse and Therapy
Tel: 01223 210378 Clare Kavanagh 01223 513480 Jean Goodrick
Email:clare_kavanagh@hotmail.com jeangoodrick@hotmail.co.uk
Offering training, consultancy, supervision and psychotherapy. Experienced trainers in the voluntary, statutory and private sectors. Trainings undertaken have included: child sexual abuse, working with team dynamic issues for organisations working with child abuse and trauma, eating disorders, self injury, working with non-abusing parents.
Cambridge Body Psychotherapy Centre
Telephone: 01223 416166
Email: gillwestland@cbpc.org.uk
Website: www.cbpc.org.uk
This is a group of psychotherapists offering individual and group body psychotherapy, which looks at issues through the communications of the body. Fees are between £35.00- £45.00 per hour.
Cambridgeshire Consultancy in Counselling
Cambridge Branch
Telephone: 01223 233047
St. Ives Branch
Telephone: 01487 842125
Peterborough Branch
Telephone: 01733 553166
Website: www.cambridgeshirecounselling.org.uk
Cambridgeshire Consultancy in Counselling is a registered charity with 30 years experience of providing one-to-one counselling. Counsellors are professionally trained, supervised and adhere to BACP Code of Ethics. The fee is negotiable, depending on income.
Cambridge CRUSE Bereavement Care
St Luke’s Church Centre
Victoria Road
Cambridge
CB4 3DZ
Tel: 01223 302670 (office)
CRUSE Helpline: 01223 302662 Open 8.00am - 8.00pm though you may get an answer phone.
Administration: 01223 302670 Open 9.00am - 5.00pm (Tues, Wed and Thurs)
Email: cambridge@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
CRUSE provides help for anyone who has been bereaved by death. They offer a telephone helpline, individual and group support. Groups include an open support group in central Cambridge which is held each Wednesday morning. There is also a group specifically for those bereaved by suicide. There is a general support group held in Ely twice a month.
CRUSE also runs a service for children and young people aged between 4 and 18. All CRUSE Bereavement Volunteers have undergone specialist training and have completed satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau Checks. Areas covered include: the City of Cambridge, South Cambs, East Cambs, Fenland, Newmarket, Uttlesford and Haverhill. No charge is made for services, though donations are welcome.
Cambridge Group Analytic Psychotherapy Practice
27a Pierce Lane
Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB1 5DJ
Telephone/Fax: 01223 880287
Email: sue.greenland@btopenworld.com
Website: www.cambridgegroupwork.org.uk
Cambridge Group Analytic Psychotherapy offers individual, couple and group psychotherapy. It is associated with Cambridge Group Work, which also provides training in group work, supervision and organisational consultancy.
Cambridge Psychotherapy Practice
26 Newnham Road
Cambridge
CB3 9EY
Tel: 01223 369894
Email: enquiries@cambridgepsychotherapy.co.uk
Website: www.cambridgepsychotherapy.co.uk
There are six UKCP registered analytic psychotherapists in the practice, who can offer individual, couple and group therapy. Interviews can be arranged by telephone or by emailing the practice.
Cambridge Society for Psychotherapy
Po Box 620
Cambridge
CB1 0GX
Telephone: 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.
Centre 33
33 Clarendon Street
Cambridge
CB1 1JX
Tel: 01223 314763 (office)
Tel: 01223 316488 (helpline)
Tel: 01223 307488 (young carers)
Email: youngcarers@centre33.org.uk
Email: help@centre33.org.uk
Website: http://www.centre33.org.uk/
Centre 33 provides free and confidential information, pregnancy testing, condoms, internet use and counselling for young people aged 25 and under. They also run a young carers’ project for people aged 18 and under, and a housing advocacy and support project for people aged 25 and under. Opening hours are Monday to Wednesday 10.00am- 8.15pm, Friday and Saturday 10.00am- 1.30pm.
Choices Counselling
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 416616 (office)
Tel: 01223 471574 (helpline)
Website: www.choicescounselling.co.uk
Choices offers a confidential counselling service for men and women aged 16 and above whose lives are affected by child sexual abuse or more recent rape or sexual assault. Services available include one-to-one counselling and facilitated self-help single-sex support groups for survivors. They also offer training and education on the effects of child sexual abuse. There is a specialist library and information service with books available on loan, please call the office for details of this. Self referral and professional referral are possible.
The telephone helpline is open on Tuesdays 1.30pm - 3.30pm and Thursdays 6.00pm - 8.00pm. The Choices office has a 24-hour answer phone.
DHIVERSE
Head Office
DHIVERSE (Developing HIV Education, Resources and Support)
Office B, Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LJ
Tel: 01223 50880
Email: info@dhiverse.org.uk
Website: www.dhiverse.org.uk/
DHIVERSE is a Cambridgeshire HIV and sexual health charity. The organization provides both health promotion and prevention, and also support for people living with or affected by HIV. Services include peer support groups, hardship funds, counselling, advocacy and information, access to complementary therapies and training. The office is normally staffed from 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Everyone is encouraged to contact DHIVERSE whether for support, information or to get involved in other ways such as volunteering or fundraising.
Drinksense
Dashwood House
185 East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1BG
Telephone: 01223 350599
Email: cambridge@drinksense.org
Website: www.drinksense.org/
Drinksense is a countywide non-statutory alcohol advisory agency. The Cambridge site provides services for Cambridge City and South Cambs. It offers information, support and counselling by appointment to: people with alcohol-related issues, their families and others who feel they are affected by another’s drinking. Call Monday- Friday, 9.00 - 5.00pm (24hr answer phone).
Drinksense works in partnership with Probation and provides Community Outreach, Risk-taking Behaviour Support and information for young people. Client referral may come from self, GP or other agencies. The Drinksense Homelessness and Street Drinking Outreach Service aims to help those with alcohol problems who lead a street-based lifestyle.
Encompass Network
c/o Dhiverse
Office B
Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
Cambridge CB1 2LJ
Telephone: 01223 508805
Email: Adelina@dhiverse.org.uk
The project officer works on a Monday, but it is best to contact by email.
Encompass Network focuses on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex groups’ rights and support. They have a bi-monthly e-newsletter called ‘The HUB’ and they organise quarterly events for the LGBT community. They coordinate LGBT History Month and Pink Picnic. If you need to find an LGBTI group, email them and they will try and help you join a group suitable for you.
Lawrence Way Community House
37 Lawrence Way
King Hedges
Cambridge
CB4 2PR
Tel: 01223 425419
Free time-limited counselling is available to people living in King’s Hedges, Arbury or East Chesterton. If you live elsewhere and are registered with the Arbury Road or Red House practices you can also use this counselling service. Ring to refer yourself using the number above. Be prepared to leave a message on the answer phone.
Lifecraft Counselling Service
Lifecraft
The Bath House
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LW
Tel: 01223 566957
Email: counselling@lifecraft.org.uk
Lifecraft offers free one-to-one counselling to its members on week-days (short term and long term counselling). Lifecraft membership is free and open to users and ex-users of mental health services. Members should contact the Counselling Co-ordinator.
Parkside Counselling and Psychotherapy Group
PO Box 550
Cambridge
CB1 0DU
Tel: 01223 242029
One-to-one counselling on a sliding scale of charges for people with anxiety, depression, or problems related to work, education, family or relationships.
Relate Cambridge
3 Brooklands Avenue
Cambridge
CB2 8BB
Tel: 01223 357424
Email: admin@relatecambridge.org.uk
Website: www.relatecambridge.org.uk/
Relate offers confidential support and counselling to individuals, couples or families who are experiencing relationship difficulties. It also provides a sex therapy service and family counselling. Appointments are available Mondays to Fridays 9.00am - 9.00pm and on Saturdays 9.30am – 1.00pm. To make an appointment, telephone Monday to Friday during office hours (confidential answer phone at all other times). All clients are asked to make a contribution if possible, but nobody is turned away. Counselling is also available at limited times in Cambourne, Huntingdon, Eaton Socon, Ely, Milton and St Ives. Relate also offers pre-commitment courses and training courses and seminars for organisations.
SexYouality – 2BYouth
Office B
Dales Brewery
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LJ
Telephone: 01223 369508
Email: info@2byouth.co.uk
Website: www.2byouth.co.uk/
Support and friendship is offered for young LGB people in Cambridgeshire discovering their sexuality. They run a number of different services for young people including a weekly drop-in group for 16- 24 year olds. For more information call or e mail using the details above.
The Cogwheel Trust
1 Portugal Place
Cambridge
CB5 8AF
Tel: 01223 464385
Email: cwt@btconnect.com
Website: www.cogwheel.org.uk
Contact the office Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4pm (or leave message on 24 hour answer machine). The Cogwheel Trust is a charity that provides a wide ranging professional counselling and psychotherapy service to the community. The trained staff work with individuals, couples, families and children and cover many personal, emotional and relationship issues. They welcome clients who refer themselves as well as referrals from other agencies and they operate a sliding scale of charges. There is an equal opportunities policy regarding the number of sponsored sessions individuals can receive. Phone the office for an appointment.
The Group Therapy Centre
St Columba Foundation
3 Downing Place
Cambridge
CB2 3EL
Tel: 01223 357221
Email: info@grouptherapycentres.org.uk
Website: www.grouptherapycentres.org.uk/
Office opening: 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Thursday (24hr answering machine). Group Psychotherapy offers a unique chance to understand how others see us and how we get on with other people. Think of it as a time and place especially for you, with no other demands. It can help you to untie your emotional knots and to gain a new perspective. Group members learn that they’re not alone in the world and there are others who have had similar experiences and feelings. Group therapy is supportive and safe. The therapist puts in place boundaries, such as confidentiality and time limits, which are agreed by the whole group. As well as providing stability, safe boundaries and a non-judgmental stance, the therapist comments on the group process and enables members to deal with feelings and issues raised. The group can be a powerful source of strength and support, especially in times of difficulty or crisis. Over a period of time feedback from the therapist and other group members can help people to become aware of and change unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour.
University of Cambridge Counselling Service
2-3 Benet Place
Lensfield Road
Cambridge
CB2 1EL
Tel: 01223 332865
Email: reception@counselling.cam.ac.uk
Website: www.counselling.cam.ac.uk
One-to-one counselling or group work is available free to students and staff of the University. Ring or call in for an appointment 9.00am-5.30pm on weekdays.
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.
