Carers Counselling

Up to 12 weeks of free therapeutic counselling for unpaid carers and supporters of cancer patients, offering invaluable companionship, help, and support.

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Our sessions

Sessions are one to one with a fully supported counsellor-in-training

Locations

Available at locations across Kent, with options also available for online or telephone sessions remotely

Benefits

Explore your own thoughts and feelings whilst learning strategies to help support you in your caring role

Confidential

Sessions are held in a safe and confidential environment

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Our Team

Meet our Counselling Team

  • Vicky McGuirk

    Project Lead

  • Georgie Childs

    Counsellor Coordinator

  • Rachel Rayfield

    Counsellor Coordinator

Project Partner

FAQ

Unpaid Carers across the whole of Kent (not including Medway).

We can provide counselling for Carers, by a counsellor in training, which will be in a safe, confidential space, allowing you to talk about how you are feeling whilst learning strategies and tools to help you cope.

You can call 0345 095 6701 opt 5 or email counselling@crossroadskent.org where you can self-refer and learn about other services available to you.

Our Carers counselling is delivered by fully supported counsellors in training.

A counsellor in training is someone who has almost completed their training and needs to gain experience with clients in order to gain their qualification.

Your allocated counsellor will be fully supported by Crossroads and their education provider and will attend personal supervision to ensure that they are working ethically and safely. All counsellors in training and their mentors are members of the BACP who is the regulatory body who ensures safe practice for counsellors and psychotherapists.

We are able to offer up to 12 sessions of free counselling. Should you require further support we can provide details, but you can also speak with your GP.

Although we operate a waiting list, we are governed by counsellor availability in your area and your own availability for counselling. We hope to see you within 8 weeks to 3 months and you are within your rights to approach other organisations that offer counselling too so that you may be seen earlier.

Absolutely! Confidentiality is a very important aspect to the counselling relationship. Everything said in sessions is between you and your counsellor unless there are any safeguarding concerns.

In-person counselling takes place at several locations:

  • Crossroads West Kent Office: 16 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, CT6 6LE
  • Crossroads East Kent Office: The Oast, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, ME18 5NS
  • Deal: Age UK, 3 Park Street, CT14 6AG
  • Maidstone: Invicta Court, Gidds Pond Way, ME14 5EY
  • Ashford: Montford Manor Care Home, Kennington Road, Ashford TN24 0YS
  • Dartford: Bridge Care Home, Brunel Way, DA1 5FW
  • Folkestone: Age UK 65 Shaftesbury Avenue CT19 4NS
  • Thanet: Chartwell House, 26 off Draco Drive, Star Lane, CT9 4FY

Please let us know which location works best for you.

Yes, for those unable to attend our sites we can provide remote counselling (online or via the telephone), following our assessment of your needs.

There is a variety of modalities depending on the training of the counsellor.

Our counselling is available for adults only (18+)

Please note that we are unable to accept referrals for people who are in crisis, who have suicidal intentions, or for people with severe mental health difficulties requiring specialist treatment (such as untreated PTSD, eating disorders, BPD or bipolar diagnosis).

If you feel that you are in crisis, please contact:

Samaritans

  • Call 116 123
  • Text 07725 90 90 90
  • Email jo@samaritans.org
  • Open 24/7


Shout

  • Text 85258
  • Open 24/7


CALM

  • Call 0800 58 58 58
  • Open 5pm-midnight 365 days a year


National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).


No, this service is free of charge for any unpaid Carer over the age of 18 to access.

Get in touch via 0345 095 6701 option 5 or email counselling@crossroadskent.org

Testimonials

“Counselling has helped me with coping strategies, made me stronger. I feel able to handle difficult situations much better. Life is good again”​

L. F.

It was a great opportunity to be part of this team. It helped me develop my skills as well as support carers in their journey

F. W.
Traineee Counsellor

I gradually became stronger to start ‘A new me’ and establish new goals in my life.

A. G.
Counselling Client

Towards the end of my sessions my perspective had altered enough to focus on my life in a more positive light and planning how I was going to go forward.

A. B.
Counselling Client

I feel both my husband and myself have benefited from these sessions and has allowed me to have a more positive attitude to his recovery.

C. P.
Counselling Client

I cannot thank Crossroads and my counsellor enough. The help was huge and has impacted me so positively in my life and helped me be a better Carer.

W. J.
Counselling Client

It has helped me feel happier and confident in general which has really helped me caring for mum.

J. W.
Counselling Client

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