Thurrock Mind

Thurrock Mind Services - Counselling

Counselling takes place in a private and confidential setting which allows the client to explore a difficulty they may be having, distress they may be experiencing or loss of a sense of direction and purpose in their life. By listening attentively and patiently, the counsellor helps the client see things more clearly, possibly from a different perspective. Counselling is a way of enabling choice or change, or of reducing confusion. It does not involve giving advice or directing a client to take a particular course of action, but focuses on empowering the individual by encouraging them to gain insight into their life.

Thurrock Mind is an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and that our counselling service is BACP accredited.

Download Counselling Leaflet (PDF)

Can counselling help me with my problem?

We have many years of experience working with people supporting them towards improved emotional and mental well-being. People use our services to explore and overcome a wide range of issues – they may be trying to cope with stress or anxiety, be recently bereaved, experiencing marital or relationship problems, suffering domestic violence or abuse, they may be a victim of bullying, or unsure about sexual identity – the list is endless.

How can I access counselling?

You can be referred by your GP, Community Mental Health Team professional, other health or social services professional, community support worker or other voluntary organisation, or you can refer yourself. When we receive a referral, a pre-counselling questionnaire is sent to you to complete. Once returned to us, your name is added to the counselling waiting list and when a counsellor becomes available you are contacted.

Is counselling free?

With the exception of Mind Talk (our private fee paying service), all counselling services are free. We would, however, appreciate a donation, if possible, towards the cost of counselling, although no one will be refused counselling on financial grounds.

Are counsellors available evenings or weekends?

Our counselling hours are Monday to Thursday 9:00am - 9:00pm, Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm. Each client is allocated a specific time slot, and you will see the same counsellor each time.

Which counselling service is best for me?

This depends on who sends the referral and what your problem or issue is. You could be referred to one of four counselling services on offer at Thurrock Mind:

• General Counselling Service – Counsellors in this service incorporate a number of different interpersonal or relational therapeutic interventions i.e. Person-centred; Psychodynamic; Transactional Analysis; Solution Focussed; Gestalt. In the first instance you would meet with a counsellor for an initial assessment to see if you feel comfortable working together. Following this, clients may attend for just a few sessions over a number of weeks, or it might be a much longer relationship, over a period of several months.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – CBT can help you to change how you think (cognition) and what you do (behaviour) – exploring this and making realistic changes in these areas can assist in creating a more positive outlook and future. CBT focuses on the "here and now" problems and current difficulties rather than focussing on the causes of distress or symptoms in the past. It looks for ways to improve your state of mind ‘now’ and can be suitable for milder, short-term issues. Clients meet up with the counsellor every two weeks for a maximum of seven sessions. Assignments are carried out in between sessions and form an integral part of this therapy.
• Macmillan Dove Counselling and Bereavement Support – This is a joint initiative between St Luke’s Hospice and Thurrock Mind, supported by Macmillan Cancer Support. Although the service was developed to provide support to those bereaved by cancer, we endeavour to provide support for non-cancer related referrals too. Bereavement counselling offers the opportunity to explore feelings, thoughts, memories or whatever is foremost in your mind - reviewing these, in a supportive environment. It can be an important step in understanding grief, reorganising life and moving forward more able to cope. Download Leaflet (PDF)
• Mind Talk Private Counselling – This service has been developed alongside the statutory and charitable work that we do in response to a demand for a service that can be accessed at short notice by employees and individuals. Mind Talk can be particularly helpful to employers who want an external provider of counselling services for their employees. It is a flexible and bespoke service, where we can design a package which can embrace a particular level of counselling to address a specific requirement. The number of sessions can be as few or as many as is required and agreed by us, the financial sponsor and/or the client. Download Leaflet (PDF)

If you would like to discuss a referral, self refer, or find out more, contact the service on 01375 391411 or complete our Contact Us form.

Groupwork

Do you feel stressed, anxious or lacking in confidence, maybe you have a problem controlling anger, or need to learn to relax – if any of these apply to you perhaps our Groupwork Programme can help.

By working with others in a group setting, with a group facilitator, you will meet like-minded people where you can share experiences and learn together. Thurrock Mind groups are psycho-educational, incorporating Cognitive Behavioural Principles and run for periods of between 8 to 12 weeks. All groups are delivered in friendly, comfortable and informal settings.

What groups are on offer?

This can vary over time, depending on demand. However, there are currently four types of group available:

Relaxation

We have all experienced stress or anxiety at some time in our lives, but it is only when these feeling reach a level beyond our control that we think about seeking help.

To be able to relax properly is not always easy and this group teaches you how to relax using simple yet effective techniques. The 8 week course is generally enough to get you back on track, helping you to realise that you can do something positive about the situation which is causing your stress and/or anxiety.

Stress Management

Stress management is an essential part of health education and the benefits of relaxation to counter its effects are now widely recognised. This course comprises 10 weekly sessions, each incorporating elements of theory, practical work, group discussion and relaxation. During the 10 weeks you will learn physical relaxation skills and how to monitor and control stress in everyday living.

Confidence Building and Assertive Training

Over the 12 weeks of this course you will gain an understanding of what self confidence is as well as learn how to develop positive thinking. You will identify your personal strengths and work towards accepting yourself for who you are. The course helps you increase your awareness of your own and others’ behaviour, and to identify what changes you would like to make in your life.

Along with other members of the group you will work on a personal programme for achieving your goals and moving forward in your life as a more confident and assertive individual.

Anger Management

Anger can cause distorted thinking, which can be unhelpful and sometimes destructive. This 8 week group aims to help you develop new logical thinking patterns which allow you to express anger assertively and not aggressively. You will identify your anger triggers, understand different types of anger, recognise how others play on your feelings, realise what guilt can do to you, and identify irrational beliefs.

If you would like to discuss a referral, self refer, or find out more, contact the service on 01375 391411 or complete our Contact Us form.

Thurrock Children's Centres Counselling Service for Parents and Carers

Sometimes life can be difficult, and speaking to a counsellor can help people see things more clearly, or view them differently. Thurrock Mind Counsellors are available one day a week in each Children’s Centre area in Thurrock, with the aim of supporting parents, and carers of young children, with any issues that may be affecting their life - for example, a recent event may have brought up negative feelings from the past causing the person to feel confused, angry and upset. Counsellors can work with a range of problems such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Relationship difficulties
• Violence and abuse, recently or in the past
• And much more

Making a referral

The Service referral form is available for download on our Forms and Leaflets page. You can also contact the counsellor at the Children’s Centres on the day of attendance, or leave a message on the mobile or send an email. Counsellors are available at the following Children’s Centres in Thurrock:

Day	Childrens Centre base	Area covered	Contact details
Mon 9am–3pm	South Ockendon 2a Afton Drive South Ockendon, RM15 5PA	South Ockendon, Aveley	Barbara bward@thurrock.gov.uk 01375 413936 07909 177234
Tue 9am–3pm	Flagship Centre London Road Tilbury, RM18 8EY	Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary	Kim 01375 858243
Wed 9am–3pm	Thameside Centre Thameside Infants School Manor Road, Grays, RM17 6EF	Grays areas	Barbara bward@thurrock.gov.uk 01375 387894 07909 177234
Thu 9am–3pm	Riverlane Centre Centurion Way Purfleet, RM19 1PF	West Thurrock, Purfleet, Chafford Hundred	Kim 01708 863739
Fri 9am–3pm	Abbots Hall School Abbots Drive Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 7BW	Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham, Horndon, Fobbing, East Tilbury, Orsett, Bulphan, Linford	Barbara bward@thurrock.gov.uk 01375 677294 07909 177234

Counsellors follow the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Ethics