Counselling is an opportunity for you to work towards a different way of living. It provides a safe place where you can talk privately about your life. You may feel distressed or emotional at times during the counselling process, but your counsellor can support you through this process. The relationship between client and counsellor is the most important part of the counselling process.

Many people think that going to counselling is a sign of weakness, of not being able to sort something out yourself. In fact, it takes courage to take that first step to decide to have counselling, and even more courage to go through the process and look at things you find difficult. Changing thoughts, feelings, behaviours and perceptions requires not only reflection, but also a desire and motivation for change.

Through observations and suggestions your counsellor will encourage you to achieve the change you desire. You are the expert at your own life and so the counsellor will not tell you what to do. However, the counsellor can facilitate you to increase self-awareness, enable you to think more clearly and provide alternative viewpoints.

If we take the time to look at the things that trouble us, we can break free from the habits and patterns that at one time were useful, but can sometimes become outdated and prevent us from achieving our full potential in life. Spokz People works in a holistic way, considering the whole person, their family, upbringing and the environmental and social factors that influence their lives. Counselling is very individual and a counselling programme is devised in discussion with each client, according to their needs and goals.

Please be aware that counselling is not a befriending or an advice service, though we may be able to provide you with information for such services in addition to your counselling.

An integrative approach is used which means the counsellor draws on a variety of theories to assist you in dealing with your issues. Together we will agree on a plan of working at the start of your counselling. Generally, we use a person-centred approach of respect, honesty and empathy as a baseline, drawing on other theories (dependant on counsellor orientation) to explore past influences and inform the change process.

How useful you find counselling depends on your relationship with the counsellor, your expectations and motivation and your personal circumstances. If you would like more information about our approach, please feel free to contact us.

Spokz People Counselling Service is available to individual adults. Counsellors have experience in the following areas: general counselling, physical disability, relationships, anxiety, depression or low mood, anger, childhood issues, self-esteem, loss, cultural issues, oppression and discrimination.

We currently do not offer couple counselling or family therapy.

Counsellors are not able to sign so cannot work with clients who communicate through British Sign Language, unless you can provide your own interpreter. If you would like BSL counselling, please visit www.signhealth.org.uk. Please contact us if SignHealth is unsuitable and we will try to help where possible.

Learning disabilities: we do not have experience with learning disabilities, though, as learning disabilities vary enormously, we can offer a free assessment so we can meet to see if we can work together effectively. Alternatively we will try to help you to find an alternative service.

Your first meeting differs from the counselling process in that it is an assessment session to see whether counselling will benefit you at this time and whether we can work together. You will have the opportunity to briefly discuss your personal history, current circumstances, lifestyle and your expectations and goals for counselling. It is also a chance for you to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have regarding the counselling process. After the assessment you can decide whether you wish to continue. The second meeting marks the start of your therapy and will partly involve agreeing a written contract of how to work together.

Sessions are for 50 minutes, usually once a week, though this can be adjusted according to your need.

Counselling is very personal and private and we respect your right to confidentiality. However, please ask about the level of confidentiality that we can provide as complete confidentiality is not possible due to legal and ethical requirements (e.g. drug trafficking and terrorism laws). It is not normal practice for counsellors to provide any letters or reports on the client’s request (e.g. for solicitors or courts) about the content of counselling. Personal details are stored separately from case notes.

This is mutually agreed at the start of your counselling and is determined by each individual person’s needs and preferences.

As a general indication most people have between 10-15 sessions for one specific issue and 15-30 sessions for issues that are more long-term or complex. However, this is just to give you an idea. We will discuss your expectations around duration and come to a mutual agreement of either a set number of sessions or ongoing counselling. In both cases there will be periodic reviews to see how you are progressing towards your goals. You can choose when to stop and start counselling. Counselling is more effective if we can agree when to end beforehand so there is time to evaluate and spend some time looking at maintaining any changes into the future.

We will be offering online counselling very shortly for people who cannot find a disability counsellor in their area or who have difficulty leaving their homes.

Home visits and telephone counselling are not yet available though it is our intention to provide these services in the future as it will increase access and flexibility. Please contact us if you are interested in either of these services and would like us to inform you when they are up and running.

Counselling can take place online, at the Harvest Fields Centre or Mere Green Community Centre in Sutton Coldfield or at the Lisieux Trust in Erdington (both in North Birmingham). There are day and evening slots available (Monday to Friday) so please contact us to discuss your preference.

There will be new locations as we expand, but please look on our new therapy directory for a counsellor in your area.

Harvest Fields is a new centre which is fully DDA 1995 (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant. The counselling room is accessible by lift and there are coffee and tea facilities as well as comfortable chairs in the entrance lobby so that you can wait comfortably if you arrive early. Other facilities:

Mere Green Community Centre has a flush entrance, automatic entrance doors, disabled toilets and disabled parking.

The Lisieux Trust is situated near Erdington High Street next to local shops. There is a small ramp once you enter the building. There is also on-street parking, a reception area and a disabled toilet.

For face-to-face counselling: Sometimes there is a manned reception, but you do not need to sign in or give your name. You can just come in and wait for your appointment in the lobby and your counsellor will come and collect you.

For online: you will be asked to establish your identity for safety purposes.

If you need assistance in any way, or have any concerns about access, please check this with us before attending your session. We will do our best to provide for you.

Counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adhere to their codes and ethics. You can find more information at www.bacp.co.uk. In particular you may be interested in: The Ethical Framework (which includes complaints procedure and professional conduct procedure) at: www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework.

Counselling is covered by civil liability insurance (which includes professional indemnity and public liability).

It is good practice for counsellors to have meetings with other counsellors where they discuss their clients to ensure that they are providing the best possible service for their clients. All personal information is omitted from such discussions to ensure confidentiality and anonymity.

Sessions are also regularly reviewed with clients to ensure you feel the counselling is helpful. We welcome your feedback and are committed to addressing any concerns or complaints about the service or its staff.