Free counselling service available to all colleagues

February 22, 2019

If you are worried, anxious, or experiencing problems you can contact the Trust’s confidential counselling service which is free to all colleagues.

To book an appointment simply call the occupational health team on 0121 507 3306 and choose option 1.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Is the service confidential?
   A. The counselling offered by occupational health is independent of the Trust, and works to the Ethical framework (Code of Ethics and Practice of the BACP), and is therefore confidential. No report is made to any manager of the clients attending, nor the subjects discussed. However, if a client tells a counsellor they are going to break the law and hurt themselves or someone else, then there is no confidentiality. This rule applies to doctors, nurses, social services, etc., as well.
2. Where will I be seen?
   A. The counselling service has its own room within occupational health at both Sandwell and City hospitals.
3. What issues can I discuss in the counselling? Is it just for workplace problems?
   A. The counsellors are trained to deal with a wide range of issues/problems and the majority (some 65 per cent) are nothing to do with the workplace.
4. How many sessions will I have and how often will I be seen?
   A. Trust counsellors are brief therapists and work to a 6 session model, but the average number of appointments clients take is an average 3.8. Because we work in a very cognitive behavioural way, we space the sessions out to every 4 to 5 weeks. This enables you to complete the tasks the counsellor sets and provides you with support over a longer period of time.
5. What happens if I have had 4 sessions and I experience a personal tragedy, such as bereavement? A. Your counsellor would discuss this with occupational health, and in most cases extra sessions are awarded.