WHO TO CALL IN A CRISIS

As we are not a crisis service, please contact these services if you require urgent assistance:

In a life-threatening emergency call 999

Under 25s: FTB (Forward Thinking Birmingham) Crisis Team 0300 300 0099  

Over 25s: People of all ages in England will be able to access local crisis services directly by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. Calls will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to quickly assess the situation and determine whether an urgent referral is required.

In Birmingham and Solihull, those already engaging with mental health services are asked to continue to contact their existing service. Contact telephone numbers will be in care plans and treatment plan letters.

Those seeking advice and information for people experiencing mental health difficulties and not a mental health crisis, are encouraged to call the Birmingham Mind Mental Health Helpline (0121 262 3555; Freephone 0800 915 9292). The Helpline Service is accessible 9am -11pm. 

The Children’s Advice and Support Services (CASS) 0121 303 1888 (Mon- Fri 9am-5pm) or out of hours in an emergency 0121 675 4806  

Birmingham City Council Adult Social Services 0121 303 1234 (Mon- Fri 9am-5pm) or out of hours in an emergency 0121 675 4806  

Samaritans [18+] (free number) 116 123 / 08457 90 90 90 / 0121 6666644  

Childline [Under 19] (free number) 0800 1111 childline.org.uk  

PAPYRUS Hopeline (suicide prevention for under 35s) 0800 068 41 41 or text number 07860 039967 9am- midnight everyday  

SHOUT free 24/7 text service. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258  

FORWARD THINKING BIRMINGHAM PAUSE Drop- in: If you are under 25 years old & have a GP in Birmingham, they offer support with emotional wellbeing. They can also provide support for parents & carers.

Digbeth PAUSE Drop-in 21 Digbeth, B5 6BJ

Sparkbrook PAUSE Drop- in 34 Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1LU

Or sometimes at Christchurch Sparkbrook, 32 Farm Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B11 1LS.

Check on their website for opening hours & which location (as these vary).

They provide a drop-in service as well as pre-booked sessions, but you will need to register first on their website or by calling their registration line to access the service. www.forwardthinkingbirmingham.nhs.uk/pause Registration line: 020 784 14470    

GROUNDED Community Well-Being Cafés: GROUNDED SELLY OAK 11 Bournbrook Road, Selly Oak. Birmingham B29 7BL Monday to Friday 08:30-15:30 0121 663 6430 Friendly community café with well-being and therapy spaces, close to Birmingham University.  

GROUNDED HALL GREEN 1043 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AS Monday to Friday 08:30-15:30 0121 663 6590 Friendly community café with well-being and therapy spaces.  

GROUNDED ST PAULS: Coming Soon Check for progress & updates on: www.groundedcafe.co.uk    

Talking Space [Safe place out of hours to come and chat with intervention workers] Open to anyone 18+ 5pm- 11pm   Appointment only T: 0121 262 3555 E: [email protected] At two locations:

Beechcroft Rear of 501 Slade Road Erdington Birmingham B23 7JG

Creative Support 888 Bristol Road South Northfield Birmingham B31 2NS

 USEFUL INFORMATION AND HELPLINES  

Addiction: drugs, alcohol, gambling

Under 25s Aquarius talktofrank.com 0121 622 7780

Over 25s Change Grow Live changegrowlive.org 0121 227 5890

GamCare for Gambling Support gamcare.org.uk 0808 8020 133  

ADHD Support and advice addiss.co.uk 020 8952 2800  

Anxiety and panic
No Panic (panic attacks, phobias, OCD, general anxiety disorder and tranquilliser withdrawal) nopanic.org.uk 0844 967 4848

No Panic Youthline 01753 840393 ClearFear App (CBT informed app for managing anxiety)  

Autism

Autism West Midlands 0121 450 7582 autismwestmidlands.org.uk Helpline: 0121 450 7575 Mon- Fri Resources for Autism 07817736096 resourcesforautism.org.uk/  

Bereavement

Cruse cruse.org.uk helpline 0844 477 9400

Winston Wish winstonwish.org 08088 020 021  

Carers and Young Carers

Birmingham Carers Hub 0333 006 9711 birminghamcarershub.org.uk  

Children and young people

Childline childline.org.uk 0800 11 11

NSPCC nspcc.org.uk 0808 800 5000

Parent Link Advisors [email protected] 0121 3038461  

Crime

Police Non Emergency 101 (24 hours)

Crimestoppers crimestoppers-uk.org 0800 555 111

New Leaf Initiative CIC – moving away from crime and into work through education, training and employment 0121 296 8839 [email protected]  

Debt/ Money advice

Birmingham Settlement birminghamsettlement.org.uk 0121 250 0765

Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureaux bcabs.org.uk 0121 214 8367

Help through Hardship 08082082138 (Mon-Fri 9am- 5pm)  

Depression/ Low Mood

Movemood App (App to manage behaviours associated with low mood and depression)  

Disability

Disability Resource Centre disability.co.uk 03030 402040

Contact Family (for families with disabled children) contact.org.uk 0808 808 3555  

Domestic abuse, sexual abuse and violence

National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

RSVP Rape & Sexual Violence Project rsvporg.co.uk 0121 643 0301

Mankind (for men experiencing domestic abuse) 01823 334244

Safeline National Male Survivor Helpline safeline.org.uk 0808 800 5005

Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid- 0808 800 0028 Seven days a week 09:15-17:15.  

Eating issues

Beat www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk 0808 801 0677

Under 18s Beat Youthline 0808 801 0711

WorthWarrior App (App for young people to manage negative body image, self-worth and early-stage eating disorders)    

Food Banks

Birmingham Central Foodbank 0121 236 2997  

Education

Education Rights Helpline 0800 800 4102

Birmingham SEND Information, advice & support service birminghamsendiass.co.uk

Not Fine in School notfineinschool.co.uk      

Employment National Careers Service nationalcareers.service.gov.uk 0800 100 900

ACAS: employment disputes and advice acas.org.uk 0300 123 1100  

Homelessness and housing advice

Sifa Fireside sifafireside.co.uk 0121 766 1700

Shelter https://england.shelter.org.uk 0808 800 4444 / 0344 515 1800 Under 25s

St. Basil’s stbasils.org.uk/get-help/ 0300 303 0099 or text: ‘NEED ST BASILS’ to 62277 Out of hours & need immediate help: If 16 or 17 years old BCT emergency duty team: 0121 675 4806 ·      If 18+ 0121 303 2296 Rough Sleeper Outreach team 0800 880 7157    

Mental health

Mind birminghammind.org 0121 262 3555 (24 hr helpline)

Young Minds youngminds.org.uk/

SANE sane.org.uk 07984 967 708

Kooth 11-25 Online Mental health support kooth.com

Papyrus (Under 35’s) papyrus-uk.org/ Living Well Consortium livingwellconsortium.com 0121 663 1217

Forward Thinking Birmingham 0-25 years old forwardthinkingbirmingham.nhs.uk 0300 300 0099

Stem 4 (supporting teenage mental health) stem4.org.uk/

CombinedMinds App (to help family and friends support young people with their mental health)  

Medical

NHS 111 (Non-emergency advice) 24 hours  

Older people

Age Concern Birmingham ageconcernbirmingham.org.uk

The Silver Line: over 55s helpline thesilverline.org.uk 08004 70 80 90  

Relationships

Relate relatebirmingham.co.uk 0300 100 1234

Honour-based abuse and forced marriage karmanirvana.org.uk        

LGBTQ+

Birmingham LGBT blgbt.org 0121 643 0821 Birmingham LGBT Community Groups blgbt.org/community-groups/

Mermaids 08088010400 mermaidsuk.org.uk

Stonewall Information service [email protected]  

Self harm

Lifesigns self-injury guidance and support lifesigns.org.uk/help

Alumina (online course ages 14-19) selfharm.co.uk

National Self Harm Network nshn.co.uk

Battle Scars battle-scars-self-harm.org.uk

Calmharm App (App to help manage self-harm and urges)  

Victim Support West Midlands victimsupport.org.uk 0300 303 1977  

Online Directories

Waiting Room- Popular one-stop directory. Birmingham and Solihull health and well-being services at your fingertips the-waitingroom.org

Active Birmingham- find activities in Birmingham activebirmingham.co.uk    

Apps

Headspace.com

Moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk

getselfhelp.co.uk

moodscope.com

Calmharm App (App to help manage self-harm and urges )

ClearFear App (CBT informed app for managing anxiety)

Movemood App (App to manage behaviours associated with low mood and depression)

WorthWarrior App (App for young people to manage negative body image, self-worth and early-stage eating disorders) CombinedMinds App (to help family and friends support young people with their mental health)    

ABOUT US  

We are not for profit social enterprise established in 2005. We help adults and young people by providing timely, affordable, and jargon-free counselling in Birmingham We are a member of the Living Well Consortium, which send us referrals from Forward Thinking Birmingham, your GP and self-referrals.

We offer short-term support (typically up to 6 sessions) either face-to-face, online or on the phone.

Although we work with other organisations such as LWC, FTB & GP we do not automatically refer into them, so if you would like an onward referral this should be discussed with your counsellor directly.  

As a counselling service, we don’t offer the following services; diagnosis, psychiatric reports, or assessment, including autism diagnosis, medication advice or prescription and letters to support benefit claims or legal proceedings.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is counselling?

Sometimes things in life can be scary, get us down, make us distressed, anxious, or confused. Sometimes family or friends can give us the support we need – sometimes not. Counselling gives us a private space to talk through what is difficult with someone who is not involved. A counsellor will not tell you what to do or judge you, but always try to understand things from your point of view and support you to find your own answers.

What kinds of counselling do you offer?

 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

This kind of counselling works quickly to help you find solutions to your problems. It helps you to discover what strengths you already have and how you can use these to make changes. It is an approach that focuses on finding strategies to help you cope, rather than on your problems.   ·     

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) CBT is a well-known counselling approach. It explores how your thoughts affect your feelings and influence your behaviour. CBT helps you to notice and change problematic thinking styles or behaviour patterns, so that you can feel better. CBT uses various strategies to help you make those changes in the here and now.   ·    

Integrative approach

This approach to counselling draws on different approaches to help you explore your difficulties and find ways forward. This approach allows the counselling to be tailored to the client and what they need.

Person-centred counselling

A person centred approach offers space for clients to explore their difficulties and discover their own solutions. This kind of counselling is very much led by the client and is non-directive.

Psychodynamic approach

This approach to counselling will explore your difficulties and how they might relate to and be triggered by experiences from your past. Through this understanding, you can work towards resolving your current difficulties.  

Gestalt approach

The Gestalt approach focuses on how your issues impact on you in the present. It invites you to explore your experiences and issues, and experiment with understanding and experiencing them in a different way.

What happens at the assessment session?

At the assessment session, you will have a chance to discuss what has brought you to us and find out a bit more about us. Then we can decide whether we are the right service for you, or whether you may benefit from other services.   If you are happy to take up counselling, we will arrange another appointment for you. This will be with someone who uses an approach suited to your problem.

Are your counsellors qualified?

Our counsellors are qualified, DBS checked, and are members of a professional body. Some counsellors are on placement whilst completing their degree or master’s studies- they will let you know this if this is the case.

What ethical framework do you follow?

We are an organisational member of BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), and we abide by its Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions to ensure good practice.   You can find BACP's Ethical Framework at www.bacp.co.uk  

How often will I see a counsellor?

Counselling sessions usually take place at the same time every week or fortnight.  

What if I don’t get on with my counsellor?

You will have the same counsellor throughout your counselling. If you feel uncomfortable with your counsellor, we can allocate you another one. This may mean a short wait, although we will endeavour to make the change as quickly as possible.  

How long is a counselling session?

Counselling sessions usually last up to 50 minutes. With CBT and Solution-Focused approaches, there may be multiple shorter sessions, combined with work to do outside the sessions.

What if I need to cancel an appointment?

If you need to cancel a counselling appointment, please give 24 hours’ notice. Please contact the counsellor directly on the number they have given you.

If your counsellor needs to cancel an appointment with you, they will also ensure that they give you 24 hours’ notice.  

First Cancellation: we will offer you another appointment.  

Second Cancellation: At the discretion of the counsellor, we may offer you a further appointment.  

Holidays: Your counsellor will give you two weeks’ notice of any holidays they intend to take. We would be grateful if you could give your counsellor two weeks’ notice of any holidays you intend to take.

What if I do not attend (DNA) a session without letting my counsellor know?

We do not pressure any individual into coming for counselling.   First DNA: we will offer you an immediate second appointment.   Second DNA: we will contact you asking you to contact us within a week if you would like to re-engage with your counselling. If you do not contact us, we will discharge you from the service. You can always use our service when you feel more ready.

What if I am late for an appointment?

If you are late for an appointment, it will be at the counsellor’s discretion if they will see you, as the counsellor may have another client booked in following your appointment.  

When are appointments available?

We are open for appointments 10 am – 8 pm, seven days a week, although your counsellor may work certain hours only. Let us know if you can only attend at certain times. We will do our best to match you with a counsellor that suits your needs.

How many counselling sessions can I have?

The number of counselling sessions you have will be something you discuss with your counsellor. Most people have between 3 and 6 sessions. Some have more.

Do I have to come to counselling?

Counselling is entirely voluntary. If you do not want counselling, you do not have to, even if someone else is pressuring you.

Will I feel better straight away?

Counselling is different for everyone. Sometimes people find that counselling helps them to feel better and achieve their goals very quickly. The outcome of counselling may not always be what you expect, but hopefully it will be positive and helpful.  

Sometimes the first sessions can be quite difficult, but we encourage you to persevere to complete the whole course of sessions. Counselling is a collaborative process where you and your counsellor work together. It is not something that can be done to you.  

Equally, if you feel that counselling is not working, talk to your counsellor about this. Counselling may not be for you, or not right now.  

 What if I want to complain?

Should you wish to make a complaint or comment about our work together, please speak to your counsellor. Alternatively you can contact the Operations Manager on 0121 314 7075, ­­­­­­­­­email [email protected] or write to Citizen Coaching & Counselling, 205 Zellig, Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AT.  

Is there a charge for counselling/therapy?

People living in the Birmingham area and registered with a GP practice in Birmingham can normally access short term ‘IAPT’ therapy without charge, thanks to our partnership with Living Well Consortium, Forward Thinking Birmingham and the NHS.    

INFORMATION AND RECORD-KEEPING  

What information do you collect, and why?

We will keep your name, address, and phone number, as well as information about your physical and mental health in the past and now, and your family circumstances.   All counsellors keep notes of counselling sessions. Counselling notes may record background information and key issues worked on in the session.  

It is in your interest and our interest to collect this information. We collect this information so that we can provide you with the best possible, safe, and professional service. It also helps us to make sure that our service is well run, and that we follow all the rules that we need to.  

How do you keep my information?

We keep your information on paper and on the computer in the United Kingdom. Our computer system has passwords, and any paper records will be kept in a secure locked filing cabinet / cupboard / room. We keep client records for five years. After this time the information is securely destroyed.  

We keep all your information securely. Only people with special permission can look at your records. Sometimes the people who pay for your counselling ask to see your records. If you do not wish this to happen, please speak to your counsellor.

Can I see my records?

If you want to see our records about you, you can speak to your counsellor about this. You can ask for your records to be updated or corrected at any time. You can also ask for your records to be erased.   If you don’t want us to keep your information, please speak to your counsellor.

If you wish to complain about the way in which we deal with your information, please speak to us.   What about letters and reports? Sometimes clients ask us to provide letters or reports to support them (e.g., for housing, benefits, or legal matters).

We will provide a letter if you ask us to, and you have signed to say that we can. Your counsellor can explain more about this if it is needed. The letter will be limited to confirming your engagement with the service.  

Who can you share my information with?

All information you give us will be treated as confidential. We won’t talk to anyone else, unless you sign something to say that we can talk to them.  

It is important that you know that sometimes we may have to talk to other people about what you tell us, without you giving us permission:     

When we have concerns about the safety of someone under the age of 18.   ·   

If you tell us something about you or someone else being in danger or committing a crime.

We will try to talk to you before we talk to someone else, but this might not always be possible.   Sometimes the law tells us that we must share information about you: ·     

if you tell us about an act of terrorism, drug trafficking or money laundering ·    

  if a court tells us we must give them information relevant to an enquiry about a serious crime ·     

If a court tells us that we must share your notes, or a counsellor must talk to them.  

Every counsellor has supervision, to give them support.

They may talk about some of what you tell them with their supervisor.  

FTB (Forward Thinking Birmingham) or IAPT clients:

We share your information with The Living Well Consortium, Forward Thinking Birmingham and often your GP, so that everyone has access to the most up-to-date information. If you need to know more about this, please ask your counsellor.    

Feedback

We value your feedback and welcome your suggestions about how we could improve our service. You can talk to your counsellor, any staff member or speak/write to us.                            

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES      

As a client of Citizen Coaching & Counselling Birmingham, you have a right to be treated with respect and dignity.

You have a right to receive information in plain language about the services we provide. ·     

Both you and our team have a right to be safe on the premises.

Anyone who behaves in violent, threatening, harassing, or intimidating ways towards to clients or staff will be asked to leave the premises and may have the service withdrawn from them. ·     

Your Information will be treated confidentially. The confidentiality policy will be explained to you at your initial session. ·     

You have the right to see the file relating to you that has been written by our team. Ask your counsellor or any team member to explain the procedure. ·     

You have a right to know about the availability of counsellors with a particular understanding of a range of different needs, and you have a right to ask to change your counsellor if things are not working out.  

You have a right to receive this information leaflet.      

You have a right to complain and to receive a reply.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

1.     Discuss the matter with your counsellor first as soon as you can if you feel able.

2.     Write to, or telephone our Operations Manager if you feel unable to speak to your counsellor, or if you are not satisfied with your counsellor’s response.

3.     In responding to your complaint, the Operations Manager will explain the Complaints Procedure in detail, and inform you where else you can get further advice if you are still dissatisfied.

We will try to resolve any problems as quickly as possible. We will reply in the first instance either by telephone or in writing within three working days of receiving a complaint.        

0121 314 7075

[email protected]    

Copyright Citizen Coaching CIC 2023 V6 Updated May 2024