Counselling can help with many issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, negative thinking, trauma, not coping well, and relationship problems.
Seeing a counsellor
You don’t need to see a GP for a referral.
You can self-refer to the NHS via Let’s Talk. This service is free. When you ring you will speak to an adviser and if it is felt that counselling is appropriate you will be added to a waiting list. Waiting times vary but are usually several weeks.
You can register for a counsellor through Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS), who have venues in Cheltenham, Stroud and Gloucester. GCS charge a fee, but fees can be negotiated around income and difficult financial circumstances. The waiting time for an assessment is approximately 2-3 weeks.
Some patients prefer to see a counsellor on a private, fee paying basis as the waiting time is very much less. Counselling in private practice also offers the opportunity for longer term counselling to take place, depending on a client’s needs. For our patient’s convenience private counselling with an accredited counsellor is available in the surgery from Green Room Counselling.
This service, for individuals or couples, is in total confidence and client information is not shared with other parties.
Further details, including the type of counselling offered, charges, and how to contact the counsellor can be found on the Green Room website: www.greenroomcounselling.com.
(Please note the GPs have no commercial links with Green Room Counselling, this service is offered purely for patient convenience as it is based in the surgery).