Our Services

Individual Counselling

Is for you if you are at a stage in life where you know change needs to happen. You may be feeling overwhelmed with what is before you or you may be looking for a place to gently explore options. Wherever you find yourself we invite you to contact us, ask questions and find the therapist who fits you best.

I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It's there all the time.

— Anna Freud
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Couples Counselling

You don’t need to be in a crisis to seek help. Often people find it useful to have a safe space to consider their relationship, explore concerns and resolve conflicts. Therapy can help you find new ways of communicating and gain insights that will strengthen the relationship.

It is for any two people in a relationship who wish to explore and potentially change the dynamics between them.

It involves looking back at the history of the relationship, to understand what has gone wrong, to recognise patterns and to gain more understanding of new ways to be together.

“We change our behaviour when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing. Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.”

— Henry Cloud
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Counselling for Children & Young People

Our service provides a safe, supportive place for young people to explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Counselling is tailored to each person’s age, stage and needs, often incorporating creative methods such as play, art, games or storytelling. We work at the young person’s pace, helping them build emotional awareness, resilience and healthy coping strategies.

Seeking support can make a meaningful difference in a young person’s wellbeing. Whether they are dealing with anxiety, low mood, school pressures, or changes at home - we are there for them. We have specialist training in children's bereavement and can provide wellbeing coaching. We also have training in ADHD and autism and have a trauma-informed approach.

An initial information session requires one (or both) parent/carers to provide information and sign the required paperwork, but counselling sessions are private, to enable the young person to share things freely. Parents can request an update but usually will only be given feedback from a counsellor if a young person is needing further support to keep them safe.

Counselling is not just about addressing difficulties, but also about fostering growth, self-expression and emotional strength. By providing a consistent non-judgmental environment we aim to help children and young people feel valued and heard and equipped to face life’s challenges.

“it’s okay to talk about mental health. It’s okay to ask for help.”

— Dua Lipa
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Continuing Professional Development

We offer CPD sessions to support counsellors, volunteers or listeners in the workplace.

Sessions are focussed on building knowledge, confidence and skills to equip you in your role. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of your setting and can include aspects of emotional wellbeing, recognising mental health struggles, and supporting people through specific difficulties - such as loss through suicide.

We can also facilitate small group peer supervision and debriefing. Contact us with your requests.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”

— Mahatma Gandhi
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Counsellor Supervision

Is a requirement for all counsellors and one which can be supportive, informative and encouraging. Supervision is a safe space to discuss interventions and explore the dynamics of the client/counsellor relationship, to explore new ideas and ways of working and to be re-energised for the client work ahead.

Supervision is a “colleague to colleague” activity in which supervisor and therapist work for the best interest of the client. Supervision is offered online or in person.

“Supervision is a valuable way of "checking in" with a more experienced practitioner thus supporting and ensuring counsellors stay grounded, maintain professional and ethical boundaries, develop their knowledge, both theoretically and practically, as well as focus on self-care to avoid "burnout". Supervision is fundamental to the provision of safe, ethical and competent counselling.”

— NCPS
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Spiritual Direction

Many people find it helpful on their faith journey to be accompanied by a Spiritual guide or director. Wherever you are on that journey a Spiritual Director is trained to listen to you and explore how God may be working in your life. It is a safe and confidential space to consider your faith journey, to explore decisions you need to make and to make sense of God at work in your life.

It is open to all who feel drawn to the spiritual life whatever tradition you are from or none.

For further information on Spiritual Direction please contact Bebe on bebepentland@gmail.com

“Your life, my life, is given graciously by God. Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken”

— Henri Nouwen
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More Information



Beginning counselling, especially for the first time, is a brave step. Do feel free to email us with any questions ahead of our first meeting. Please know that we don’t take our responsibility lightly and will do all we can to meet your needs. If we feel we cannot support you for any reason, we will aim to provide you with suggestions for a referral to another service.

Clients experience a mixture of feelings when they start counselling. Some people feel a real sense of relief to be sharing their issues and gaining support. Others feel a bit vulnerable addressing personal things for the first time. Still others have a mixture of feelings. These responses are all normal. On occasions, it can feel like things are being stirred up and you might feel worse before it gets better. Be patient with the process.

Our counsellors engage in regular ongoing learning and we all hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service certificate) and safeguarding training.

Our premises are accessible to people with disabilities. We welcome diversity and are committed to inclusion. All cultural backgrounds, genders and religions are welcomed at Island Counselling.

Counselling is most effective with an initial weekly or biweekly commitment. The number of sessions can be discussed at the intake appointment and progress will be reviewed regularly. Short-term counselling is considered to be 6 to 8 weeks as it can take time for us to build a trusting relationship and reached the issues that are most important to you.

Confidentiality



This means that what is discussed remains between you and your counsellor. This is very important, especially in a small community like Guernsey. Providing a private space where people can open up safely is a vitally important part of our work.

For this reason, we try and schedule a gap between clients, and we ask that people are on time for their appointments to avoid overlap. Records and session notes are securely stored according to local data protection law, and destroyed after the time required by our insurer’s regulations.

The only reason that confidentiality might be breached is if there is a risk of significant harm to yourself or another person, if required by a court of law, or something is disclosed that is considered a serious crime that must be reported. This would be done to the appropriate authority, with only the required and relevant information provided, and where possible, will be done in collaboration with you. Safeguarding our clients is part of our duty of care.

Insurance and Ethics



Counsellor Insurance

Each counsellor holds personal private indemnity insurance and public liability insurance. Details available on request.

Data protection

We individually register annually with the Office of Data Protection and follow the guidelines of the local data protection law. A data protection agreement will be signed at your initial intake session.

Code of ethics

Our counsellors are individually registered with a counselling professional body in the UK – either BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy), ACC (Association of Christian Counsellors), and NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society). Members agree to abide by their code of ethics. A complaints procedure is available through their websites.

Professional counsellors receive regular supervision and aspects of a particular case may be discussed to ensure that the best care is being provided, but no identifying information is provided. Supervisors are professionals bound by the same code of conduct as your counsellor.

Terms and Conditions



Island Counselling operates as a private practice. Payment will be made to individual counsellors at their hourly rate, preferably on the day of each appointment or by arrangement. Reduced rates may be available on request. Invoices and receipts can be provided. Please let us know if you cannot make an appointment. Cancelling or postponing a session with less than 24 hours notice incurs a missed session fee. This is because we may have a waiting list for our service, and we still must pay for our facility, training and other expenses when clients don’t attend.



Insurance

Your counsellor may be registered as a provider for local health insurance. Please check with your own insurer prior to agreeing to counselling, as this varies. You may also need to give your agreement for personal details to be provided to your insurance in order for cover to be agreed. Island Counselling can provide invoices and receipts on request.