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?

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. 

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 [email protected]. Vicky works Monday to Thursday.

Tel: 020 8255 3939

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