Counselling

What is Counselling at Primrose Hospice?

Our free counselling service is provided by a team of trained volunteer counsellors, including both qualified counsellors and counsellors in supervised training. All our counsellors receive regular clinical supervision and are committed to providing safe, ethical and effective counselling.

We offer a confidential, compassionate and non-judgemental space for people living with a life-limiting illness, those caring for someone who is ill, and individuals who are experiencing bereavement or other emotional challenges. Our counsellors work alongside you to explore your thoughts and feelings, make sense of your experiences, and find ways of coping that feels right for you.

Primrose Hospice is an Accredited Organisational Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and operates in full accordance with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. This demonstrates our commitment to delivering counselling to the highest professional and ethical standards. Further information is available here.

Who is Counselling for?

Our counselling service is available for:

– Adults who are bereaved

– Individuals living with a life-limiting illness 

– Family members, carers and loved ones 

If you are unsure whether counselling is right for you, our team can help guide you.

How Counselling can help:

Counselling can support you to:

– Talk openly about your thoughts and emotions 

– Process feelings such as grief, anxiety or uncertainty 

– Understand and manage difficult experiences 

– Develop coping strategies 

– Feel less alone and more supported 

Sessions are focused on what matters most to you.

What to expect from Counselling:

Counselling is usually offered through one-to-one sessions with a trained counsellor.

During sessions, you will have the opportunity to:

– Talk in a safe and non-judgemental environment 

– Explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace 

– Be listened to and supported 

We understand that asking for support can feel like a big step.

Our counselling service is compassionate, respectful and completely confidential. Our aim is to help you feel heard, understood and supported through your journey.

How to access Counselling:

You can access counselling through a referral. You can self-refer to the service or be referred by a health care professional, like your GP.

Contact us to make a referral:

T: 01527 889799 

E: primrosehospice.familysupportreferrals@nhs.net 

All patients, family members, and bereavement clients must be registered with a GP in the North-East Worcestershire area.

What happens next?

Once you have made a referral:

– A member of our team will contact you 

– We will arrange an initial assessment 

– Following your assessment, you will be placed on the waiting list for the service that best meets your needs.

We understand that waiting for support can be difficult. Due to demand for our counselling service and the availability of our volunteer counsellors, there may be a waiting period before a counsellor can be allocated.

Waiting times can vary, and we will keep you informed of any updates. We will contact you as soon as a suitable counselling appointment becomes available.

“I would particularly like to praise the way I felt the councillors really listened and allowed me the time to talk about my grief. I never felt that there was any pressure on me to finish. Primrose Hospice Family Support Centre saved my life.” – Counselling Client.

Additional Support

Counselling may be offered alongside other Family Support services, such as our Living Well Service, or  group support.

We will work with you to ensure you receive the most appropriate support for your needs.

Counselling FAQs

Is counselling confidential?

Yes. What is disclosed within counselling sessions remains private except where the counsellor is required by law or Hospice policy to disclose information.

Do I need a referral?

Yes, you can refer yourself or ask a professional to refer you.

How many sessions will I have?

The initial number of sessions offered will be six (further sessions may be extended up to twelve sessions, subject to discussion.) and each session lasts for 50 minutes

Is the service free?

Yes, all Primrose Hospice services are free of charge. If you would like to make a donation, please visit this page.

If you are interested in learning more about our other Family Support Services, visit this page or download our leaflet here. 


Have you or your family been supported at Primrose Hospice? We’d love to hear about your experience.

By sharing your experience at Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre you could help people understand what our Hospice, located on St Godwald’s Road, is like and how they too could benefit from our support.

Find out more about sharing your story, by clicking here. 


We would love to hear your thoughts about your experience at Primrose Hospice, so we can improve services.

Please take a few minutes to complete our survey here.

 

Primrose Hospice Counselling Agreement

Primrose Hospice Counselling Agreement – Remote

 

Our Family Support Service is supported by the TNL Community fund:

Useful information:

Find a private counsellor through BACP website

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Urgent and Crisis Support

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In an emergency or crisis, do not wait for a referral.

  • Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
  • NHS 111: Call 111 (in England) and select the mental health option to speak to a trained professional.
  • Samaritans: A free, confidential 24-hour helpline for anyone struggling to cope. Call 116 123.- https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
  • Shout: A free, confidential 24/7 crisis text service. Text “SHOUT” to 85258.