Articles, Information & Contacts

What to expect at our first meeting.

In order to keep waiting times short for your counselling, and to prioritise the needs of our local communities, we have taken the decision to no longer offer remote online appointments. Our office is in Broughshane, County Antrim, where we can meet you in person in the discrete, comfortable surroundings of our dedicated counselling rooms at Raceview Mill. (See “Contact Us” page for directions).

Even though our first meeting is free and informal, it is standard practice for us to sign a confidentiality agreement before getting into any details about your reasons for coming to counselling or the issues you would like to discuss. This gives you a written assurance that what is said in counselling, stays in counselling.
This is the foundation for the level of trust there needs to be between us, so that you feel safe to talk about anything that is on your mind, no matter how personal or sensitive it may be.
(Details of our written agreement are available on request).
Together we can decide how best to proceed, and we will be open and honest about the limits of how we can help – in terms of the level of specialist intervention we can or cannot provide, and any personal conflict of interest which might be relevant.
At present we do not accept clients under 18, or anyone currently undergoing other psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy.
This will be a conversation, not an interview. We will need to ask some questions to gain a better understanding of your needs and circumstances, but you only need to say as much or as little as feels comfortable.
If you then decide to go ahead with counselling we can decide together when and how often this should be.
Feel free to give us a call if you need any more details.

Take 5 Steps To Wellbeing.

• The Public Health Agency/Health & Social Care produce a useful leaflet giving 5 simple, effective ways you can maintain and improve your wellbeing.
  Click here for “TAKE-5 Leaflet” download to save or print for yourself or someone you know.
• Connect
  Take time and make an effort to connect with the people around you: family, friends, colleagues and neighbours – at home, work, education and in your local community. Think of these relationships as an important part of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections and enjoying conversations with people around you will enrich your life and support your mental health.
• Be Active
  Go for a walk or run, cycle, play a game, garden or dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy – one that suits your level of fitness and mobility.
• Take Notice
  Stop, pause, and take a moment to look around you. Take time to notice what you see, feel, smell or taste during each day? Look for new or interesting things in your everyday life and think about how they make you feel.
• Keep Learning
  Be curious and don’t be afraid to try something new. Rediscover an old hobby or activity, or even sign up for a course. Take on a different responsibility, repair something, cook something new, learn to play an instrument. Learning new things can bring pleasure and grow your confidence.
• Give
  Do something nice for a friend or stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time or consider joining a community group. Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to others and to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections. No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.