Counselling
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Leicester Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Centre Counselling Service
The Centre currently has a small counselling service provided by volunteer trainee counsellors and therapists.
Sometimes we need to be able to talk to someone who is not involved in our lives; someone who has no preference concerning our decisions about the future. Counselling or therapy is not about telling people what to do and how to run their lives. It is about exploring together:
• A difficulty that you may be experiencing
• A dissatisfaction with life
• The loss of a sense of purpose or direction
People often hesitate to start counselling, worrying that they may be forced to look at painful issues. People also may feel undeserving, thinking their problem isn’t serious enough. However, many people benefit from counselling, no matter what the size of the problem. Any fears or worries you have can be discussed with the counsellor at an initial meeting.
What next?
If you feel that counselling might be helpful for you, contact the Centre’s main office (0116 254 7412) and they will put you in touch with a counsellor. You can then arrange for an initial assessment meeting: this is where you and the counsellor meet each other and work together to decide whether counselling is right for you and will meet your needs.
If you decide to go ahead, you will arrange to meet the counsellor regularly for appointments lasting one hour. Most people find that a session once a week suits them, while some people prefer fortnightly appointments. You and the therapist may decide how many sessions will be appropriate for your situation, and this is reviewed regularly during the work.
You will be asked to pay a small nominal fee for each session. Currently this is on a sliding scale between £2 and £10 per session, based on ability to pay.
Confidentiality
The service is confidential. The therapist will not discuss your sessions with any member of staff at the Centre. However you must be aware that if you tell the therapist that you are going to harm yourself or others then they will inform you that this information may have to be shared.
If you would like to access counselling services independently of the Centre, please visit www.hodgkinson-process.co.uk for details of a local LGBT-friendly counsellor.