You can refer yourself through our website, or email: [email protected]

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. 

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

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

Yes, you will work with the same counsellor, on the same day/time each week. However, if for any reason you do not feel they are the right fit for you, you can swap counsellors by contacting Jodie (who will do your initial call) or by speaking to your counsellor about changing. 

There is the option of face to face, video, or phone call 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. 

You can access our wellbeing workshops, creative group therapy, yoga, guided relaxation sessions, plus many more of our wellbeing 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! 

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. 

Creative group therapy is a small therapeutic group facilitated by a psychotherapist.  It is a confidential and safe space, where we cover different topics around mental health and wellbeing. We use creative pieces, discussions, and psychoeducation, to explore the topics. 

The groups are on average three hours long, with a break halfway through. 

We aim to keep groups under 8.

You will have an initial call to determine if group therapy is right for you. It is aimed for people aged 18 and over, living in the Ystradgynlais (and surrounding areas), struggling with low to moderate mental health and wellbeing needs. The group creative therapy sessions can help with loneliness, low confidence & self-esteem, depression, anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties, negative relationships with food, negative self talk & thought patterns, plus much more.

No artistic ability is necessary, you will always have options for each creative piece that you do. Some examples include collaging, painting, crayons, chalks, pencils or modelling dough. Each session will generate a few creative pieces to help you explore areas of yourself and your life, and express them in different ways. There will also be opportunities to brainstorm & discuss, and everyone will have the opportunity to explore what’s created with the group- however, there is no obligation to share anything you are not comfortable sharing. If you do not wish to speak at all throughout the session, this is also absolutely fine! The creative group therapy sessions are a safe space, and the work can be adapted to suit everyone’s needs. 

The sessions are around every fortnight, and you can sign up to any sessions that interest you! 

Our group creative therapy sessions are easy to sign up to. Simply click the pink button labelled ‘Therapeutic Sessions’ on this page, and select which session you’d like to join. The list of sessions are updated regularly, so keep an eye out for future dates. You will need an initial call to check suitability, to take your details, and to add you onto our system. If you are not new to our organisation, you can simply complete the form, and we will email you back to confirm your place, without the need for a further call. 

Just let us know if you cannot attend (through email or text). This gives us the opportunity to offer the space to someone else. Please be aware that as numbers start to increase, those that regularly do not attend sessions they have signed up for, may have to be placed on a waiting list and will be offered a space nearer the time if there is room. This helps us ensure that others are not denied the opportunity to join, if spaces are being held that are regularly not being used. 

We understand that attending something new can be very daunting, for many people. Rest assured that our friendly members of staff are on hand before attending, to talk you through any concerns, and are happy to answer any questions, to ease your anxieties. We’ll also share any information that you may need to help you on the day (where we are based, car parking, our building, toilets, disabled access, etc.)

You will arrive at the Wellbeing centre and to the right-hand side of the doors is a buzzer. You need to press the buzzer for the wellbeing hall, and someone will open the door to greet you. You will sign in, into the sign in book on the left-hand side as you enter. Then a member of staff will either ask you to take a seat in the waiting room, if you are early, or take you up to the wellbeing hall. (To see all of our staff members beautiful faces, please head to Meet the team | Mind Ystradgynlais (minditv.org.uk) )

We have a lift available for anyone that cannot use the stairs, (however, in the case of a fire emergency you will need to be able to get down the stairs to exit). If you have an issue with the dexterity of your hands and gripping objects, Jodie, the facilitator, will be happy to discuss alternative ways to make the experience accessible for you. Any limitations can be discussed with Jodie before you attend the session. Just make us aware in your initial phone call about your needs, and we will strive to accommodate wherever possible. 

We provide free refreshments such as tea (including decaf), coffee, hot chocolate, squash, water, and biscuits (we also have dairy and soya alternative milk). There are toilets, with free feminine hygiene products available to those who need them! 

If you feel you need to step out for a moment, there is a private room right next to the hall, where you can go at any time. If you need support, just let Jodie know. You can also leave at any time, just make Jodie aware of any needs, as she will always work to help and accommodate. We are a supportive group here to welcome you, support you, and to be along side you on your healing journey!