About us
Hope Counselling Service has been motivated to provide affordable counselling for people in Reading since we gained charitable status and opened in 2019. Since opening, we have grown in the number of counsellors working with us and the number of client sessions we can offer. We have been grateful for donations to redecorate and refurbish our premises. We have continued to provide counselling throughout the challenges of the pandemic. At present, we offer one-to-one counselling for people aged 18 years and over. The name Hope Counselling Service reflects our aim to bring hope and healing to those we serve.
Our aim and ethos
We are registered with the Charities Commission (Registration number 1185376) with the stated aim:
“To promote and protect the mental health of people residing in Reading and the surrounding areas through the provision of a counselling service in accordance with the values of the Christian faith”.
Our Service is offered regardless of gender, ethnic or cultural background, sexual orientation; to people of any faith or none. Hope Counselling Service upholds that each and every person has unique value.
Counselling
Our approach to counselling is broadly person-centred and integrative, which means our counsellors are equipped to use a range of counselling models in order to assist their clients.
All of our counsellors have undertaken professional training and engage in ongoing professional development and have regular supervision. Each counsellor has reached an approved standard required for seeing people in counselling.
Our organisation abides by the professional Ethical Framework and Codes of Practice and Conduct of the Association of Christian Counsellors, to which we are affiliated. This ensures that confidentiality is protected unless there are exceptional circumstances. The Service adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Hope GDPR statement Oct 2019 (Please click on link to view)
The first session will be an assessment for you and your counsellor to see whether counselling would be the most appropriate help for you at this time.
Counselling Placements
We are able to offer a small number of counselling placements each year for trainees embarking on level 4 of their training and beyond. For further information contact the Manager email: office@hopecounselling.org.