Counselling support
A safe space to make sense of things
Coming to terms with change, or understanding the patterns you keep falling into, isn’t always easy. At Passmores House, counselling gives residents on our rehab programme a safe, supportive space to talk things through, no fixing, no advice, just space to be heard.
How counselling works at Passmores
Counselling is available as part of your treatment programme, alongside our psychology service. It’s not something you need to arrange separately, if it looks like it could help, your keyworker will talk it through with you.
- Assessment: You and your keyworker will talk through why counselling could help you right now. If it looks like a good fit, you’ll be offered an initial assessment, where your counsellor gets to know your past, present and future: why you’d like support, your circumstances, and your goals. You’ll have the chance to ask questions about how sessions work.
- Sessions: Sessions are typically weekly and last 50 minutes, usually up to six in total.
Our counselling team
Our counselling team is made up of trainee counsellors on placement from their courses, all supervised by an experienced therapist. Most work in a person-centred way, meaning sessions are led by what you want to talk about, not an agenda set for you.
Counselling won’t tell you what to do or offer quick fixes, instead, it gives you space to explore and make sense of difficult feelings, thoughts and experiences, past and present. Your counsellor won’t give advice about your substance use or practical problems either, other people at Via are there to support you with those areas of your life.
Counselling doesn’t offer magic solutions. It can be hard work, and progress can be slow and emotionally challenging, particularly if you’re processing past trauma.
Not the right time? That’s OK
It might be worth waiting if you’re still feeling fragile in early recovery, or if you know you can’t commit to attending every week, counselling works best with regular sessions. If it looks like your experiences need more specialist, trauma-focused support, your counsellor will help you think that through too, rather than starting something that isn’t the right fit yet. Sometimes someone is better matched to our psychology team instead, the two teams work closely together to make sure you reach the right service.
What you feel able to cope with is the most important thing, and it can change over time. If now doesn’t feel right, counselling is something you can come back to later in your stay, or your keyworker can help you find support in your community once you leave Passmores House.
Counselling or psychology: what’s the difference?
Both are talking therapies with a shared aim: helping you understand and manage what you’re going through. Here’s a quick guide to how they differ.
Counselling
Up to 6 weekly sessions, 50 minutes
- Delivered by supervised trainee counsellors
- Person-centred, non-directive talking therapy
- Best for adjusting to change and understanding patterns
Psychology
Typically up to 6 weekly sessions, 50 minutes
- Delivered by a qualified clinical psychologist
- A range of evidence-based approaches (e.g. CBT, DBT, CFT, ACT)
- Best for more complex or specialist psychological need
What can counselling can help with?
- Adjusting to major life changes
- Understanding patterns you keep falling into
- Rebuilding relationships and trust
- Processing grief and loss
- Low mood, self-esteem and confidence
Thinking about a referral?
If you’re a professional considering Passmores House for someone you support, counselling is included as standard for residents on the rehab programme, there’s nothing extra to arrange. If you’re not sure whether counselling or psychology would suit someone better, that’s exactly the kind of thing our team can help you think through at referral or assessment.
Already staying with us? Speak to your keyworker, they’re the best place to start.
Want a fuller picture first? Download our welcome brochure or watch our video tour below.