Counselling Initiatives
About us
ARE YOU ON A LOW INCOME OR BENEFITS AND UNABLE TO ACCESS PRIVATE FEE-PAID COUNSELLING?
DO YOU NEED MORE THAN A LIMITED-TERM COUNSELLING PROGRAMME, YET STILL AT LOW COST?
THEN COUNSELLING INITIATIVES COULD BE FOR YOU.
PLEASE NOTE IN RESPECT OF THE CURRENT COVID 19 CRISIS THAT WE OFFER ONLINE AND TELEPHONE COUNSELLING
We only ask for a modest donation for our counselling provision and clients can have as many sessions as they need.
Counselling Initiatives is a charity that has been operating since 2001 and has an impeccable record in the provision of unlimited-term counselling for those on low incomes or benefits. We are supported entirely by client and private donations.
The core of the project is at our base in Hornsey Vale, North London but we welcome client enquiries from anywhere if someone is prepared to travel. We have another project based in Twickenham. Clients can self-refer, via their GP or via other referral agencies (eg a time-limited counselling provider)
All counsellors are volunteers, either on placement or private practitioners who wish to offer their time to support those unable to afford private, fee-paid counselling.
Training, qualifications & experience
All our counsellors belong to or are in the process of registering with a professional body such as the UKCP or BACP.
Member organisations *
Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
UK Council for Psychotherapy
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling we deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
There are no fees but we do ask for a minimum donation of £12 per session to help support the service and its overheads.
Further information
We are happy to take referrals within the terms of reference of our eligibility criteria, namely:
- That clients are above the age of 21
- The primary need is not a learning difficulty
- The client is not or has not recently been on a section under the Mental Health Act nor have major mental health care needs
- The client does not have current behaviours which constitute a major risk to self or others.
Importantly, Counselling Initiatives is not a crisis or befriending service.
