Counselling Services

About our Counselling Service

Mind in Kingston’s Counselling Service offers one to one counselling sessions to individuals living, working or studying in the Borough of Kingston. Everyone is welcome, regardless of your background or mental health needs.

As well as an assessment, you can access up to 12 sessions. On some occasions, the counsellor may be able to extend the sessions if they feel this would be of benefit.

Sessions are usually held once a week in the evening and will last 50 minutes at a regular date and time, currently remotely via telephone.

Our counselling service is coordinated by Vicky Bourne, who is our Counselling & Wellbeing Manager and a fully qualified counsellor. Vicky oversees intake and allocation of clients, recruitment of new counsellors, supervision of counsellors and the administration for the service.

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a talking therapy which takes place in a safe and confidential setting. It allows people to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours and learn to manage those better.

At Mind in Kingston, we believe that the counsellor’s role is to work alongside you to help you discover alternative ways to improve your life and resolve current and past issues.

Our counsellors offer professional and confidential support to people who wish to enhance their quality of life.

How can I get Counselling?

We will start with an assessment which will give you, and us, an opportunity to discuss your issues and decide if counselling is the best way forward and if this is the case, we will put you on our waiting list. The waiting time depends on the number of people requesting the service.

You will need to be 18 or over and live, work or study in the Borough of Kingston, and you will need to provide details of your GP in case of an emergency.

If counselling is not right for you at this time, we will support you to access alternative options.

Will I need to pay?

Yes. Fees help us to pay for the Counselling Service which is only part-funded.

There is a fixed fee of £20 for your assessment.

The fee for each session is between £15 and £35 depending on your financial circumstances. Fees will be discussed during your initial assessment appointment and will be means tested. The lower fees will only be available to people on benefits or very low income.

Counselling Placements

Our counselling service offers volunteer placement opportunities to students who are in their second year of study and have at least 35-50 hours of counselling experience. Students must be registered with a recognised counselling or psychotherapy body such as the BACP or UKCP and be working towards their accreditation. At present, we cannot offer clinical supervision and placements are expected to source their own clinical supervision. We do offer workplace supervision and there is opportunity to discuss clients and cases.

For enquiries please contact Vicky Bourne, Counselling Coordinator at counselling@mindinkingston.org.uk Vicky works Monday to Thursday.

Tel: 020 8255 3939

This service is part-funded by the Kingston CCG, and supplemented by fees.

About our Counselling Service for the local Korean community

본 카운슬링 서비스는 Mind in Kingston 의 카운슬링 서비스의 일환으로 한국어로 카운슬링을 받으실수 있습니다. 킹스턴과 그주변에 거주하시는 만18세 이상 한국인 분들에게 제공되는 성인 심리 정서 지원 및 마음 건강 회복을 위한 상담 서비스입니다. 이 서비스를 신청하시면 한국인 카운셀러에 의해 진행되며 내담자분의 편의에 따라 한국어 혹은 영어로 상담이 가능합니다.

This service is available to Korean adults (aged 18 and over) living in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and surrounding areas.

It is designed to support emotional well-being and help individuals enhance their overall quality of life.

Counselling sessions are available in either Korean or English, depending on your preference.

All Korean-language counselling is delivered under the supervision of Mind in Kingston and follows the ethical standards set by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

What is counselling for?

Counselling is a talking therapy that takes place in a safe, confidential environment.

It offers a space to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and to develop healthier ways of managing them. We believe in working alongside you—supporting you to find new perspectives, overcome challenges, and improve your overall well-being.

We are committed to confidentiality and fully respect individual differences, including sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and social or cultural background.

We welcome anyone experiencing emotional distress, psychological difficulties, or challenges related to cultural adjustment.

Counselling service period

Following an initial assessment, you can access up to 12 counselling sessions.

In some cases, the number of sessions may be extended if the counsellor feels it would be beneficial.

Sessions are typically held once a week in the evening, though alternative times can be arranged by mutual agreement between you and your counsellor.

Each session lasts 50 minutes and takes place at a regular, agreed time—currently offered remotely, either online or by telephone.

We aim to offer face-to-face sessions in the near future, in line with organisational policy and safety guidelines.

How can I get counselling?

You don’t need a referral to access our Counselling Service, and you can contact us direct on the details below. However, a GP or other medical professional, support worker or other professional person can refer you as well. We will start with an assessment which will give you, and us, an opportunity to discuss your issues and decide if counselling is the best way forward and if this is the case, we will put you on our waiting list.

The waiting time depends on the number of people requesting the service.