Due to an increased volume of referrals for Olive Branch Counselling, we have reached full capacity, and our waiting list is currently closed. We have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend new referrals for counselling, though we hope this will be a short-term measure. Please rest assured that we are actively working to reduce the waiting list and aim to reopen it as soon as possible. We will continue to provide updates on our website regarding any changes. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
If you are worried about immediate risk of harm to self or others, please visit your nearest A&E department or call the emergency services on 999. If you are not in immediate risk but would like support and advice, please visit your GP. You can also contact the following services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: NHS Helpline (111) and the Samaritans (116/123).
NHS Urgent Help for Mental Health: www.nhs.uk
Call any time, day or night - whatever you're going through, you can call them any time, from any phone for FREE on 116, 123.
For more information, please visit www.samaritans.org
Shout is a free, confidential and 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout volunteers are there to support you. giveusashout.org
We don't counsel clients under 18. We don't counsel clients who are receiving counselling elsewhere. We don't counsel clients who are struggling with addiction as we are not addiction specialists. There may be occasions in an assessment session where it is felt that you may be better seeking more specialist help for an area that you want help with. This is what the assessment session is for, for us to establish whether we are the right place for you, and for you to decide if you want to come to us.
As a charity, we rely on client donations to contribute towards our running costs. The amount you are able to donate will be discussed during your inital assessment with one of our team.
There are two reasons. One, we cannot contact someone without their consent; we frequently get phone calls from people saying their partner, child, parent etc. needs counselling and can we call them on their number. We cannot because we don't know whether that person actually has consented to their information being shared, and we don't know if they actually want counselling for themselves. The second reason is that it's really important for your own journey that you make the time and effort to contact us yourselves. Counselling is a commitment of time and energy and we need to know you are ready.
This will very much depend on your availability for counselling however, we endeavour to place each person on our waiting list with 3 weeks.
I had had the worst year of my life with family tragedy and trauma. Olive Branch Counselling helped me more than I expected it would.
Caring, compassionate and a true supportive hand to get me back on a clear and positive path.
I laughed again.
