​​Where can I have counselling?

We offer counselling at both our Altrincham and Bury premises and remotely by telephone or video, meaning you can benefit from our support no matter where you are located at a time that suits you. We also offer counselling at some other outreach locations within Trafford, such as Old Trafford and Broomwood. If you are accessing our remote sessions, we ask that you are in a quiet space where you will not be distracted. As a charity we aim to offer counselling in all formats to support our service users.

 

Am I eligible for counselling?

We provide counselling irrespective of your financial and personal circumstances. Counselling is available for Adult Individuals, Children & Young People, Families and Couples. We also offer counselling in some schools as well as counselling within organisations.

 

How much will counselling cost?

We offer counselling through the work we do as a charity. Counselling can be fully funded by us or can be as little as £10 a session up to £70. The rate confirmed will depend on your financial situation so please do not let this stop you asking for help. If you are accessing our funded or reduced-rate counselling services we ask for proof of income - this can either be a payslip, benefits statement or proof of means-tested benefits.

 

You can pay for your counselling sessions in person with cash or card/contactless at our locations or, if you are having remote sessions, online using the link on our website in the counselling section.

 

All sessions must be paid for in advance at the time of booking.

 

When do counselling sessions take place?

Counselling sessions run at the following times and locations:

 

Altrincham

Monday to Thursday - 9:00am to 9:00pm

Friday - 9:00am to 4:00pm

Bury             

Tuesday - Thursday 12.00pm to 8.00pm

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Where suitable we can offer telephone and video counselling.

 

Who do I contact to register for counselling or discuss my needs?

Please contact our reception teams on the telephone numbers below:

 

Altrincham  0161 941 7754

Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm

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Bury   0161 764 4113           

Tuesday - Thursday 12.00pm to 8.00pm

 

Please be prepared to go through a short registration form. We will ask for your GP and an emergency contact person if you have them.

 

I am on a waiting list for NHS Mental Health Support - can I access your services?

Yes. Many of our clients come to us as they are frustrated by NHS waiting times. As a charity we aim to provide you with support as soon as possible. However, If you are already having counselling or mental support elsewhere we would not recommend having two instances of counselling running at the same time.

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What if I cancel or miss an appointment?

We charge for missed appointments and appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice. Our automated appointment confirmations are sent from a no-reply email. You must call or email CFC directly to cancel or change an appointment:

 

CFC Altrincham

Telephone: 0161 941 7754

Email: altrincham@thecfc.org.uk

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CFC Bury

Telephone: 0161 764 4113

Email: bury@thecfc.org.uk

 

If you are accessing fully-funded or subsidised sessions all missed appointments will count as one of your sessions. If you miss two appointments or more, we will assume that you do not want to continue with your counselling right now and your counselling will be suspended, allowing us to support other clients.

 

What is the counselling process?

Your first meeting will be an assessment with a qualified counsellor. We use this to make sure we are the right service for you, and just as importantly, this gives you the opportunity to decide whether you would like to continue into ongoing counselling. The questionnaire you fill out and the information you give in the assessment allows us to match you with a suitable ongoing counsellor. In some services, the assessment counsellor will become your ongoing counsellor.

 

How long do sessions last?

Assessments and counselling sessions usually last for 50 minutes (families service sessions are usually 60 minutes).

 

What can I expect?

There is no typical counselling session. Your counsellor will be highly trained in listening and reflecting and will help you to explore your issues and find a way forward. We offer an integrative style of working tailored always to meet your specific needs which may include elements of a number of ways of working, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person Centred, Psychodynamic or Transactional Analysis (TA). 

 

How often are sessions?

It’s best to keep the momentum going so meeting once weekly at the same time and day will help you and your counsellor make progress. It really helps if you have your diary to hand at the beginning to allow you and your counsellor to arrange a series of sessions. At this stage you can factor in things like holidays.

 

How many sessions will I have?

From the very beginning of your time with your counsellor we ask you to think about what you would like to achieve before leaving us, and to talk about how long you may need to attend. The number of sessions needed really does vary from person to person. Endings are a very important part of your counselling, and can offer a real sense of achievement, insight and clarity. We do ask you not to just disappear! Where financial considerations could limit the number of sessions you are able to attend, please let the counsellor know at the beginning and the work will be tailored to what is achievable in the time.

 

Can I have counselling in different languages?

As well as English, we can provide counselling in:

• Arabic / العربية,

• Urdu / اردو,

• Punjabi

• Hindi

• Italian

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Bengali

• Swedish

• Shona

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Click here for details about making an appointment.

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Can a friend or relative come into the sessions with me?

Counselling sessions are confidential and only people booked for the session are to be present. If you are attending as an individual then only you and your counsellor will be in the session. Carers can help settle clients in where appropriate but must leave before counselling starts. In couples/family/young people counselling, only registered clients can be present.

 

Children (including babies) will not be able to accompany you into your appointment unless this has been pre-booked as part of the Families service. Please note we do not have childcare facilities.

 

Clients having video or phone counselling must be in a quiet, confidential space where nobody can overhear what is being said, and where they are free from other commitments to focus on themselves. 

 

I am aged 14 and wish to access counselling without my parents/carers knowing is this possible?

Yes, if you are aged 14 and above you can self-register for our support. Simply call our reception team and they will assist.

 

We are having family counselling - do my children attend all sessions?

For family counselling anyone under the age of 14 years does not attend the first session. You would need to make arrangements for childcare for this first session. They will then attend future weekly sessions with you and the other family members.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND FAQ’S SPECIFIC TO FAMILY COUNSELLING PLEASE SEE THE FAMILY COUNSELLING SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE

 

My child is having counselling - do I sit in with them as a parent / carer?

Typically, you are able to join your child for the first 10 minutes of their first session to help them feel settled. You will then leave the room for our trained counsellor to work with your child. If there are discussions or points the counsellor needs to discuss they will bring you in should this be deemed necessary.

 

My child is having counselling - can I find out from the counsellor what is discussed?

No. Counselling sessions are confidential and work well for that very reason. The client and counsellor build up a relationship of trust and confidentiality and therefore we are unable to discuss or disclose anything that is discussed during your child’s session. This can be frustrating for some parents/carers who have younger children going through the counselling process, but this confidentiality is critical for the process to work and to enable us to support your child.

 

My child is having counselling - do I need to remain in the building and who can collect them?

If your child is younger than 14 years old you need to remain within the building for safeguarding purposes. You are more than welcome to wait in our reception area and/or our cafe if the cafe is open. Only those adults named at the time of registration can collect children. If you need to add another name on to the collection list, please contact reception.

 

I think my friend or relative would benefit from counselling - can I register for them?

For Adult Individual counselling, typically, the person needing counselling must register themselves by calling our friendly reception team. You are not able to register on someone else’s behalf unless they are aged 17 and below or if you are registering for Family counselling.

 

Do you offer additional support other than just counselling?

Yes! We offer various support groups, activity groups and training sessions to support you with what life throws at you. These include:

 

• A Community Allotment - wellbeing through working with greenspace - a chance to connect, talk, work and enjoy being outside.

• Life After Bereavement and Loss support groups

• Affected by addiction support group

• Young at Heart Social Group - Friday group for older people

• Men’s support group

• Mindfulness group

• Stress and anxiety support group

• Parenting teenagers training “I’m a Parent Get Me Out of Here”

• SEND parenting course “Starting Strong”

   

For more information please visit the Wellbeing & Training sections of our website.

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