FAQ’s

What is counselling?

Counselling provides an opportunity to discuss issues that may be troubling or causing you problems. Your counsellor will not know you or have any involvement with the issues you wish to discuss, or offer advice but instead will provide a space where you are able to explore and reflect on the difficulties you are experiencing.

Once you have decided you would like counselling you will be offered an assessment before you commence. The assessment provides the opportunity to decide whether counselling would be appropriate for you or not.
How often would I meet with my counsellor?

Once you commence ongoing counselling you will see the same counsellor (this will not be the counsellor you saw for the assessment). You meet weekly at the same time and the same place, each session usually lasts for 50 minutes. This space is held for you each week and as a result if you are unable to attend for any reason you will be expected to pay for the missed sessions.
Will my counsellor be qualified and experienced?

All GCS counsellors are supervised and managed within GCS and work within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework. Most of our counsellors are qualified but some are in training and work to the same high standards as qualified counsellors.
How long does counselling take?

There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the issues you wish to address and the depth to which you wish to explore them and other related matters. GCS offers open ended counselling but if it is more appropriate we are able to offer a more focused, fixed term option usually up to 12 weeks.
Where will I have to go for counselling?
How long will I have to wait for a counselling appointment?

Once you have registered for counselling you will be offered an appointment for an assessment relatively quickly, usually within two – four weeks. How quickly you will be offered an appointment for ongoing counselling is dependent on your availability and the demand on the service. Evening appointments can be available but are usually in high demand therefore may incur a delay.
How much is counselling?

It costs £20 to register and this includes your initial assessment appointment.

It costs £55 per counselling session.

Gloucestershire Counselling Service is a registered charity (No. 1109904) and one of its principal aims is to make quality counselling accessible to the people of Gloucestershire. If this is fee prevents you from accessing counselling you will be given the option to apply for reduced counselling fees.

If you have been referred to us with a referral code please view our ‘Referrals for Funded Counselling Page’.
What if I am unhappy with my counselling?

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your counselling you should discuss this with your counsellor as it may be related to the issues you have brought to counselling. If this is inappropriate or does not resolve the matter you can write to the Head of Counselling at GCS explaining your concerns. If you are still unhappy you can use GCS’s formal Complaints Procedure.

We are a charity

Through fundraising and donations we can subsidise counselling costs to make it accessible to all that need it.

How can you support us?

Become a funding partner

Make a donation

Pay forward counselling

Overpay for your counselling