Dochas

Carers Centre & Gallery

Supporting Unpaid Carers

“Bringing Together People who Care”

Dochas Counselling Service

Counselling Service

People who decide to seek counselling support are often unclear about exactly what is involved. Use of counselling is a process that helps people to make choices or reach decisions about how to handle their concerns.

The emotional support, we offer at the Dochas Carers Centre, the counsellor will support you to talk about what is troubling you and listen to what you have to say.  The aim is to help you become clearer about both the extent and affect of the problem, and so recognise a possible solution.

About our service

People can make a self-referral to the service or be referred by other professionals.

After making contact an appointment will be made for you to come in to the centre and have an initial assessment where we establish if we can help and the client meets the criteria.

A counselling skills worker will then be identified (if available) and a start date arranged.

Counselling sessions normally last 50mins and a block of 8 sessions are recommended, but this can vary from each client.

If the client wants to continue we advise that they take a 4-week break before coming back to the service to be re-assessed.  We let clients know that it may not be the same worker that sees them.

Background

The Dochas Carers Centre had an established Life after Bereavement group that met fortnightly, but found that people who were grieving were often reluctant to come into a group, therefore we started to think about how we could establish a more person-centred service.

After some research and fundraising we realise it would take forever to raise the money to train as Cruse counsellors. Then a colleague who is the Macmillan nurse at the hospital thought that Macmillan Cancer Support might be interested in funding such a project.

Once funding was secured from Macmillan Cancer Support, they helped us get a tutor from Glasgow who would actually come to Lochgilphead to train the 9 volunteers.

The training was every second weekend (from March 2011 till October 2011), which was really hard work as it included assessments and assignments.  This involved a great deal of motivation and commitment from the volunteers.  All of who successfully completed the course.  Our tutor was exceptional which made it a rewarding experience for all.

The quality of our service

We hope that you will be happy with the support provided but if you have any concerns or dissatisfaction with our service please do not be afraid to make a complaint.  We also welcome both complimentary and constructive feedback and always try to use feedback to improve and develop the service where possible.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is important to the process and success of counselling support. However, confidentiality is not an absolute - your counsellor will discuss the management of confidentiality immediately prior to your initial appointment.

Code of ethics and practice

The Dochas Carers Centre is a member of a professional organisation that has developed and adheres to a code of ethics and practice.  At the Dochas Carers Centre that organisation is COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland).  This code requires that your counsellor receive regular supervision to ensure that confidentiality is maintained appropriately and that the client receives the highest standard of counselling care.

We also have a Continuing Ongoing Development programme to keep all volunteer counsellors up to date.

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The counselling service cannot offer any face to face counselling at the present time, but we can offer you:- telephone, email or online support via Facebook - Dochas Counselling Service Coronavirus Support Line. More information T 0743 223 1217 Email counselling@dochasfund.org.uk

Dochas Centre

Telephone 0743 223 1217