What is the Counselling Service?

Our counselling service provides a safe and supportive space to talk to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Counselling aims to:

  • Give you a safe time and place to talk to someone who won’t judge you.
  • Help you make sense of things and understand yourself better.
  • Support you in managing difficult emotions and experiences.
  • Identify unhelpful patterns in your thoughts or actions and explore ways to change them.

Who is this service for?

This service is available to individuals over 18 who live in or near the Swansea Valleys.

How can counselling help?

Counselling can support you in coping with:

  • Difficult life events, such as bereavement or job loss.
  • Relationship challenges.
  • Traumatic experiences, whether recent or from the past.
  • Emotional struggles, including grief, guilt, sadness, anger, and low self-esteem.
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mental health difficulties.
  • The emotional impact of long-term physical health conditions.

How can I access this service?

An initial assessment is required to determine suitability before accessing our counselling services. Our assessments are free of charge.

Please complete our ‘counselling referral form’ and we will then be in touch to arrange a call!

Important Note:

Due to dangerously low funding, we have had to implement a low-cost counselling model. 1-1 sessions are now at a cost of £25 each, significantly lower than private counselling rates, which typically range from £40–£80 per session. For those receiving benefits, we offer the final three sessions free after completing the first three paid sessions (proof of benefits required).

If you have been assessed and assigned a therapist and are starting your therapy journey, you can pay for your sessions by clicking the button that says “Counselling Payment.”

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Free Counselling for Those Currently Working (employed or self-employed, including part-time working)

Living in Powys and currently working (either employed or self-employed)? If you’re 16 or over, you can access free, fast, and confidential counselling sessions through the In Work Support Service! Visit our webpage to learn more and get started today! 

1-1 Counselling Service FAQ’s

Need to know more about our wonderful 1-1 counselling service? Below are some frequently asked questions which may help answer yours!

How do I access counselling?

Please complete our ‘counselling referral form’ and we will then be in touch to arrange a call!

Is counselling suitable for me?

Counselling is suitable for anyone with mild to moderate mental health issues. It can be accessed whether you are in a good place or struggling, you don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom! Counselling can be used to support you with a range of issues. Please note: if you need drug and/or alcohol support, we can help sign post you to the right experts in that field to get support. 

How many sessions will I be offered?

You will be offered 6 sessions initially. We then review to see if more are needed. 

How long will I have to wait?

Waiting times can vary, and unfortunately, we cannot give an accurate time scale.

Will it be 1-1 & with the same counsellor every week?

Yes, you will work with the same counsellor, on the same day/time each week. 

Is the counselling face to face?

There is the option of face to face, video (such as Zoom/ Teams), or phone call sessions. 

How long are the sessions?

The sessions are capped at 50 minutes, however, if your feel in the session that this is too long, you can discuss with the counsellor to find a time length that feels right for you. 

What support can I get while I wait?

You can access our free wellbeing workshops, yoga, wellbeing sessions, our wellbeing walking group, plus many more of our services after your initial phone call. On the call, we’ll have a chat with you, to take your details and get you signed up.

Head to: Our Services | Mind Ystradgynlais (minditv.org.uk) to check out what we have on offer, while you wait! 

What will happen during the session?

The initial session will be used to make an agreement between yourself, and the counsellor, to decide how you want to work together, and what you want to get out of counselling.

These goals may change during the counselling process, and that is totally fine. It is a safe & supportive space for you to explore yourself, your life, find solutions, and understanding. 

We are always looking for ways to improve… So if you have used our counselling services, please fill out our feedback form!