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Counselling Support

Footsteps Counselling & Care provides counselling support for anyone in the Gloucestershire area affected by pregnancy-related issues, including the loss of a baby for any reason and at any time and those struggling with other pregnancy-related issues, including fertility problems, birth trauma and postnatal depression.

All of these issues and many more are difficult to discuss and often people are left to struggle through life without the help and support they need and deserve. Counselling can provide a sense of safety in a neutral place with someone who understands, enabling people to safely explore their feelings and emotions around their sadness and grief. This can provide a great sense of release, allowing some healing and the strength to move on. Feeling listened to, understood and accepted can be very powerful and therapeutic.

 

Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions about our service or give us a call to talk to the team.

 

Contact

Call us on 01452 308618, or contact us via our online contact form and one of our team will respond as soon as they can.

Other support

 Please see our directory for details of other support available including helplines, online groups and forums and local support groups.

Common questions

How can we help?

We provide counselling support. Our experience has shown that people who are struggling to come to terms with a difficult situation or a loss have found that being able to talk in a safe space has helped them to process what they're going through. Before starting counselling we ask new clients to attend an initial assessment session which gives you an opportunity to find out more about Footsteps Counselling & Care and how counselling might be of help.

Is there a waiting list?

We do have a waiting list. Due to the nature of our work it is hard to know how long the wait will be. If we put you on our list we will see you as soon as we possibly can and let you know roughly how long that wait will be.

How many sessions can I have?

At this time we are able to offer you up to 12 counselling sessions. This is to enable us to minimise the waiting time for our service. Of course, you can come for less than 12 sessions, and should you find you need more than 12, your counsellor will explain what your options are.

What is the cost of our services?

Our counselling is free to those that need it, however, to help to cover our costs we ask that clients make a donation per session if they can. You can agree an amount with us before you start. We never turn away anyone away if they are unable to make a donation. You can donate towards the cost of our service by giving cash to your counsellor each session, or by donating via Givey, Paypal, Facebook donate button or bank transfer.

How do I refer for counselling?
We accept referrals from many organisations including bereavement midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers, family support workers etc.

Anyone is very welcome to refer themselves to us too. Just give us a call on 01452 308618, email office@footstepscandc.org.uk or send us an enquiry via our contact form.

How can I donate to your work?

You can donate through Givey, Paypal, Facebook donate button or bank transfer . Please see our information on other ways to donate for further ideas about supporting our work.

How can I get involved?
We have a myriad of ways that you might like to be involved; from volunteering to clicking as you shop from home to raise funds. Have a look at our Volunteers page to see how you can help. Do let us know if you've got any other ideas though!
What is counselling?

Counselling is a talking therapy, it provides a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. Your counsellor will help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and of others. 

Your counsellor will not give you their opinions or advice.  They will help you find your own solutions – whether that’s making effective changes in your life or finding ways of coping with your problems.

What we do

Talking to a counsellor

Counselling offers people a chance to talk through issues and problems that are having an impact on their life in a safe, neutral environment. Our counsellors will not make any assumptions or judgements about you as a person or about what you share with them. They will help you to explore what is happening to you and support you to find ways of moving forwards. Our counsellors do not offer opinions, advice or guidance.

Other sources of support

Please see our support directory for other organisations that may be able to help

Our blog

Support articles

Mental Health and Insurance

Mental Health and Insurance

Claire Bosworth is a trustee for Footsteps Counselling & Care alongside her career working in Insurance & Risk for a leading consulting engineering firm, Hoare Lea. Back in November, The Sunday Times published an article on Why Covid stress or a miscarriage...

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Why Counselling?

Recently I read an article by the daughter of a lady who had given birth to a baby girl 40 years ago. Sadly the baby died at 2 days old and the mother had never spoken about it until very recently. The daughter was vaguely aware of this child but as her Mum had never...

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Do you need help?

Call us on 01452 308618 or get in touch via our contact form

Our blog

Personal stories

To The Broken Mum

To The Broken Mum

Whilst dropping my husband off at work one morning I sat in the car with tears rolling down my cheeks. The baby had been awake all night, I hadn't slept for weeks and I had a whole day alone with my 3 month old baby. I sobbed all the way to his work and when it was...

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Loss and the impact on close relationships

Loss and the impact on close relationships

Grief has been explained to me in many ways. One picture that stays in my mind is the one where it simply starts at one stage, goes through many others and ends in another. If only it was that simple.... Next to this one, is what I think represents it in a better way,...

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