Your role as a client is to come accepting that you will be expressing feelings which may sometimes be difficult and painful but it may be necessary to go through this experience if counselling is to help you move forward. The counsellor will work with you to support you - in this way counsellor and client 'work' together.

Counselling involves commitment to have regular contact between you and your counsellor – normally once a week with each session lasting 50 minutes.

At the first meeting you will agree with your counsellor whether to proceed with counselling. Sometimes 4 to 6 sessions seem to meet a client’s need but there is always an option to continue. Because of the demand for our services, counselling is only available to any one client for a maximum of 9 months without a break.

Often, with young people we begin with the aim of working towards 12 sessions with the option to extend as necessary.

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If at any stage the continuation of counselling is not considered to be in the best interest of the client or counsellor, then Cotswold Counselling reserves the right to conclude the counselling.

No - although a significant number of clients are referred to us by GPs we accept direct approaches by clients.

Counselling is carried out primarily in Cirencester, although we can offer sessions conducted via telephone or video conferencing for those unable to travel.

We also offer sessions in some local primary and secondary schools on a contract basis.

As a registered charity we offer affordable counselling. Financial contributions are negotiable and, if possible, we ask new adult and young person (11-18) clients to contribute £35 for the first session. This is to cover the administrative cost. If there is a difficulty, this is also negotiable. Further contributions, if possible, are decided by the client. The ethos of the agency is to make counselling available to all who may benefit.

We really appreciate clients making a financial contribution towards their counselling as we are a registered charity and all our counsellors are unpaid volunteers. Contributions from clients are our biggest source of income, so if you can afford to be generous, it will help us to continue seeing clients on low incomes who are able to make only a small contribution.

Primary clients have a fixed fee which will be discussed at assessment, however there is the opportunity to seek financial support from our hardship fund on a limited basis.

There is a fee structure for family sessions dependant on the needs of each family group. This will be discussed at assessment. There is also the opportunity to seek financial support through our hardship fund on a limited basis.

If you have to cancel an appointment it is important to let us know as soon as possible by phoning, e-mailing or writing to our Cirencester office (see Contact Us page). Please indicate why you are cancelling and if you require a further appointment. Cancelling at short notice may incur a cancellation fee.

We are concerned that the service you receive through Cotswold Counselling meets the professional standards we set out to achieve. We are pleased to receive your comments. These may be addressed through your Counsellor or failing that, directly to the Counsellor Coordinator, who can be contacted via the main office.