More info about counselling from THT
Reasons why people have sought counselling
"I know all the advice about safer sex but I still end up doing things I wish I hadn't."
"My boyfriend has just tested positive. I want to be there for him but we just argue all the time, our relationship is suffering”
“I am 15 and there is so much I want to talk about but no one to turn to”
"I'm worried I might have been at risk, but I can't bring myself to make an appointment for an HIV test."
“ I am a refugee and there are just so many things that I need to deal with I feel isolated and alone”
"My friend has told me she's got HIV. I don't know who to talk to about it, and I can't cope."
How counselling can help
If your life is affected by HIV in any way then perhaps we can help. You may be living with the virus, the partner of someone with HIV, or a family member or friend concerned about someone close to you. Perhaps you are considering taking an HIV test, or you work with people affected by HIV.
If you identify as a refugee then we can offer you free counselling.
If you're a gay man, bisexual, lesbian, or trans and not concerned about HIV but wanting to talk about relationship issues, sexual health concerns or any other areas, then we can also offer paid counselling.
We will see you on your own, or with your partner, or we will see your family members or friends - it's up to you. We will work out with you an agreed number of sessions to suit your individual needs.
If you're not sure whether this is the right place for you, then feel free to ring for an appointment - if this isn't the right service for you, then we'll talk to you about what other options may be available.
The kinds of counselling THT offer:
HIV Counselling
Counselling for anyone affected by HIV. This includes people living with HIV,their partners, family, friends, carers, and anyone who is concerned about contracting the virus. This service is also culturally appropriate for African clients. We offer one-to-one and couple counselling. The funding for this service makes it only available to men and women who live in the South London postcodes, or the boroughs of Hammersmith, Westminster, City of London, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Young People’s Wellbeing Service
A new improved wellbeing service for young people in London aged between 10 and 18. The service combines an online and face-to-face provision that includes counselling, peer mentoring and information, advice & guidance to those who have concerns or worries about any aspect of sex, sexuality, sexual health, relationships or HIV. The service is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is free and confidential. To book an appointment e-mail info.counselling@tht.org.uk
London Councils
A counselling service for anybody who is HIV positive, is living in London and who identifies as a refugee.
Bengali and Somali service
A mental health project for men and women,who are living in Camden.
Connect LGBT Counselling
A general counselling service that is not free but it is for all LGBT communities and offers both individual and couple counselling, face to face or internet sessions and short and long term therapy. Sessions are from £30. To book an appointment, phone 020 7812 1777 or e mail connect@tht.org.uk
To book an appointment for the above 2 projects e-mail info.counselling@tht.org.uk or call 020 7812 1777
A personal story of counselling
I'm John and I am 22. I first thought about counselling after my friend Matt gave me a postcard advertising counselling, saying "this might be of help".
I have lived on my own since I was 16, so I'm pretty sorted. I know what's what. I work as a hairdresser in central London and have a flat in a housing association. I didn't work on a Monday, which is good because it used to be my day to recover. I think this was where the problem started. I know now that I was drinking and using too many drugs. I never drank or used during the week only at weekends. The drugs kept me going all night and the vodka helped chill out during the day. I had fun.
Matt is one of those friends who looks out for me, though I didn't thank him for it at the time. He came round one night and said that he was concerned about me, and that I was getting really out of it and going off with anyone who made a pass at me. Matt said that he was worried that I might not always be in control of what I was getting up to. The truth was I often couldn't remember if I had had sex or not, never mind if I enjoyed it, or if I used a condom.
This is when I started to worry about HIV. It really got me down, though I didn't let it show. I thought people would think I had HIV if I started to talk about it. I knew Matt cared about me, I find it too hard to talk to friends about personal stuff. I though about going for an HIV test, but I was too scared. I decided that I couldn't continue the way I was and that I needed to talk to someone. So I dug out that postcard and made an appointment for counselling.
Through counselling I was able to talk about what was going on in my life without being judged. I spoke about my anxiety about relationships, and my concerns about being on my own. For the first time I was able to talk about being thrown out of home when I was 16. Although I now have my own place and a decent job, I realised that I still miss my Mum. By the time I had finished counselling I felt better about myself. I am now more confident. I have made some difficult decisions. I still go clubbing, but not all weekend, and I decided not to use drugs so much anymore. I only practice safer sex now and I am more aware and at ease with the choices I make. I feel that I have taken back some control in my life.
Booking a place
To find out more or to make an appointment ring 020 7812 1777 or email info.counselling@tht.org.uk
The office is open from Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm. We can offer appointments in the evenings, and at a number of different locations across London.
Waiting times
There is normally a 3 week waiting time for an initial appointment, and approximately 1 month's wait between making contact and starting counselling.
Where it happens
THT has counselling centres in:
- Kings Cross
- Waterloo
- Croydon
- Ladbroke Grove
Quality of Service
You will always be seen by a trained counsellor or therapist who has a good knowledge of HIV issues. The service operates using the ethics and guidelines of the British Association for Counselling and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy.
All clients receive a 50mins assessment which is free.
Languages we can provide counselling in are: English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Yoruba, Luganda, Shona, Bengali and Somali. Counselling is available for couples and individuals at sites across London, with appointments available in the evenings as well as during the day.
There is a complaints procedure and all service users are invited to express their views about the running of the service.
Feedback from clients
"It allowed me to focus on the specific areas of my issues and reflected the way I was feeling, acting, and behaving. The respect, empathy and genuiness of the counsellor was paramount to allowing me to express myself in a way that made the discussions positive, challenging and productive. ”
"I was challenged by looking at my needs and my behaviour and how I was responsible for my actions when dealing with the conflict. I was also made to feel that I am important too, and that my needs are important.”
"Having the sessions allowed me to reflect and be honest with myself and realise that I had just got into a rut.”
"It helped me realise I was quite negative about myself. The fact that I’ve improved on that is great. I don’t know if I could have coped without taking this time out to look at what I was doing to myself to and to others. Thanks!”
Other help
If during the course of counselling you find you need additional support or advice we will put you in touch with an appropriate service.
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