ADVICE, INFORMATION AND COUNSELLING

 

Who can use our advice and information service?

Anyone looking for information or advice about alcohol, gambling or substance misuse in general or wish to discuss specific issues contact us at 0141 887 0880 or info@rcatrust.org.uk

 

Who can use our counselling service?

Most of our clients present with alcohol or substance concerns or problems and many also have a number of associated problems including health, social, relationship, employment, legal etc. If you have any concerns about your own or someone else’s drinking or substance use then contact us for an appointment. If during the course of a counselling relationship it is clear that you might benefit from other services in our agency or available through partners, we will discuss this with you.

 

About our counselling service

Our counselling service is intended to allow clients to explore safely any issues that are important to them. Our counsellors can work with clients on an individual, couple, family or telephone basis. They are trained to help you explore and understand your problems and to help you identify solutions that will work for you.

 

How we work with clients

The first session with a counsellor normally lasts between 60 and 90minutes.

Clients then usually attend weekly follow-up sessions lasting 60minutes. On average a client attends for roughly 6-8 appointments, but this can vary depending on client needs.

 

What to expect

Counselling often involves finding out how you usually approach problems and what you have tried before. What worked or didn't? What do you think might be useful? What won't work for you? As you know more about yourself than anyone else does, the counsellor will ask you about you.

As part of the normal counselling process the counsellor will work to establish a trusting relationship and to support you to work towards your personal solution. Building an environment in which you feel safe to talk to your counsellor is central to this process.

 

Counsellor standards

All of our workers are trained to recognised standards including National Certificates in Counselling, COSCA Certificate in Counselling, Higher National Certificate in Counselling or Diploma in Counselling.

 

How to contact us

Counselling is available at our main base in Paisley and on a limited basis in Greenock. Our staff will tell you where the appointment will be, and will confirm this in writing. Regrettably, we are unable to offer a counselling service in your own home. Our main contact number is 0141 887 0880.You can email us here or complete a web form here.