All Questions
How can I get counselling?
NOSS (Network of staff supporters)
Confidential, independent staff support counsellors
- Tel: 01978 780479 - 24-hour answerphone
- Email: therapyservices@optimahealth.co.uk
- Sheri Wright: 01743 258414 (education only)
What is counselling?
Counselling offers you an opportunity to explore and resolve difficulties you may be experiencing in your personal and working life. Counselling helps you to find solutions which will enable you to remain at work or return to work feeling emotionally stronger.
The problem may be over a particular situation such as dissatisfaction with or loss of a job, bereavement, ill health or an unhappy relationship. It may be a more general feeling of anxiety or depression or worries that have been concerning you for some time and you feel that now is the time you want to tackle them.
Counselling enables you to explore painful or difficult feelings and conflicts, with the aim of helping you to make positive changes in your life. It provides a safe and confidential setting where you can explore these difficulties with the support of a professionally qualified counsellor.
What does counselling involve?
At the first session, you can talk about your difficulties and see if you think counselling may help you. If so, the counsellor will arrange further sessions. The sessions are completely confidential except in rare
circumstances where someone's safety or health is at severe risk.
Confidentiality
Counsellors will maintain confidentiality at all times. The issue of confidentiality will be discussed and agreed at the first counselling session. Counsellors are required to break confidentiality with a client only under certain circumstances eg:
- Offences under the Children's Act
- Intended acts of terrorism
- The intention to do harm to others
- Clear suicidal intentions
- Illegal acts involving violence or drugs
All counsellors are members of a leading professional body for their discipline and maintain their registration of their appropriate professional body.
FAQs
Sometimes you just need a little help to see things clearly or from a different perspective, or to reduce stress and difficulties you may be experiencing in your personal or professional life. Sometimes we just have to be kind to ourselves.
If I am worried or anxious how do I access the counselling service?
You can access the counselling service by emailing therapyservices@optimahealth.co.uk or by calling the main office (office hours 8.30am to 4.30pm) on 01978 780479. You can self-refer to the service and you can access the service at any time. On receipt of your enquiry the reception staff will need to know a little bit about you:
- Your name
- Where you work – your location
- Your CC number or business number
- The directorate you work for
- Your generic job role: admin / manager / social worker etc
- Contact details - email (work or home) and or mobile number.
Please note all messages are treated in the strictest of confidence.
How is this different to accessing counselling through my own GP?
Sometimes it can be quicker to access the counselling service through NOSS, which means that you can receive treatment much earlier.
What will happen at my counselling appointment?
During talking therapy, a trained counsellor or therapist listens to you and helps you find your own answers to problems, without judging you. The therapist will give you time to talk, cry, shout or just think.
How much does it cost?
Accessing the NOSS counselling service will not cost you anything at all; it is free to all staff employed by Shropshire Council.
Who will know that I have accessed the counselling service?
No-one unless you choose to tell them, or if HR make a referral on your behalf (a management referral). Where that happens, a discharge report may be produced – with your consent only. The contents of your appointments are completely confidential and would not be shared.
Can I go to counselling in office time?
You can access the counselling in office time; you may have to tell someone you are leaving the office or you may just have a lunch break.
Where do I need to go to attend appointments?
That depends on your work base – many sessions are held in the Occupational Health department on the 2nd floor of Shirehall, or you can be seen off site in different locations. You can arrange this with the NOSS reception desk.
Currently NOSS are conducting appointments via the telephone due to the restrictions regarding COVID-19.
How many sessions can I have?
The council will fund up to four sessions. The sessions will last about 50 minutes.
Will they only help me with work problems and concerns?
NOSS will help you with anything that is bothering you – that may be a work issue, a home issue, or a combination of both work and home issues.
What records will be kept about me?
No clinical records are kept about you. Information is gathered for statistical purposes only.
What happens if I do not like my counsellor?
Speaking to a counsellor is a very personal thing and it is therefore important that you are able to build a rapport so that you feel comfortable about sharing your worries, concerns, and anxieties.
If you do not like your counsellor or feel unable to speak openly then we can arrange for you to meet with another counsellor. Please just let us know – we are here to help.
What happens if I am dissatisfied with the service I have received?
Contact NOSS who will listen and take appropriate action if necessary. NOSS has its own complaints policy which we will follow in the event of a formal complaint.