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This page provides general information about our Service and the counselling process.
Why Counselling?
During our lives, we may experience distressing events and feelings that appear to have no end or resolution in sight. Sometimes, we are clear that our feelings are caused by particular events or issues such as bereavement, loss or physical illness. On other occasions, we may not be able to identify the cause of our distress. Counselling offers the opportunity to explore your issues and concerns within a confidential, non-judgemental therapeutic relationship. Your Counsellor may also help you develop your existing coping strategies and resources.
Our Service is provided by a team of Specialist Counsellors and an Administrator. Our Counsellors are highly experienced and specially trained, accredited members of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
We provide individual and couple sessions, however if you would like to be seen as a couple, you will be required to attend all sessions together following your individual assessment.
The Service is based at Wexham Park Hospital, and provides counselling support to patients, parents, and relatives for the following difficulties:
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Referrals and Appointments
You may self-refer or be referred by your Consultant, Midwife, Nurse, GP or Health Visitor. To self-refer, please contact the Counselling Service on our confidential line: 0300 615 4461/ 0300 615 4620
Following your referral, we will write to you either to inform you that you have been placed on our waiting list or alternatively to offer you an initial appointment.
COVID-19
Face masks are available to clients should they wish to wear them. However, this is no longer mandatory.
How Often Will I See My Counsellor?
You will see your Counsellor on a weekly basis. The Service provides ‘time-limited’ therapy up to 1 to 12 weekly sessions. However, this is dependent on your particular difficulties or issues. Each session lasts 50 minutes.
Your First Appointment
During your first appointment, your Counsellor will explore your current difficulties and assess what may be most helpful for you at this time.
If we agree that you may benefit from counselling support and are able to commit to regular weekly appointments, a specified number of sessions will be scheduled for you. Your Counsellor will invite you to jointly review your sessions and consider whether further contracted sessions may be helpful.
Your Counsellor may also suggest alternative, specialist sources of external support which you may wish to consider.
We kindly request that you do not bring your children to the counselling sessions, so that you have an opportunity to discuss your concerns openly and in confidence. The exception is made for new-born babies, and this may be negotiated with your Counsellor. Please note if you are attending your counselling sessions remotely that you ensure you are in a private and confidential space.
Missed/Cancelled Appointments
Should you need to cancel an appointment, please call the Counselling Service with at least 24 hours’ notice where possible. If you need to cancel more than two appointments, these will be included in your total number of allocated sessions.
Should you fail to attend for your first appointment or for two consecutive appointments without notice, we will assume you do not wish to continue with counselling and will cancel your outstanding appointments. However, you are welcome to call your Counsellor to discuss the options available to you.
Confidentiality
During your first appointment, your Counsellor will explain the boundaries of confidentiality. This is to ensure that safe and ethical practice is maintained throughout the duration of your counselling.
Your Counsellor will maintain client confidentiality with the exception of the following factors:
- As part of our professional practice, all Counsellors will discuss their client work with their clinical Supervisor, whilst ensuring your identity is protected.
- Under our Professional Codes, the Counsellor is obliged to inform relevant Health or Social Care Professionals if they are concerned that the client is at risk to self/others. This includes the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and protection according to The Terrorism Act 2000.
Further Information
We hope you have found this counselling booklet helpful. If you have any queries or questions, you are welcome to call us on our direct line: 0300 615 4461/ 0300 615 4620
Other Sources of Information and Support
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Antenatal Results and Choices Charity (ARC) |
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Association for Post-Natal Illness |
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Berkshire Traumatic Stress Service |
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British Trauma Association |
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British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy |
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Child Bereavement Charity |
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Child Death Helpline |
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Cruse Bereavement Care |
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Daisy’s Dream |
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Home Start Berkshire East |
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Maytree |
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Mental Health Crisis Service |
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Mind: The Mental Health Charity |
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Relate: The Relationship People |
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Samaritans |
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Slough Sendiass |
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Still Birth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS) |
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Talking Therapies |
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The Miscarriage Association |
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United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy |
How To Find Us
Address Details:
Counselling Service
The Training Centre (Old School of Nursing)
Wexham Park Hospital
Wexham Street
Slough
Berkshire
SL2 4HL
About this information
Reference:
GG/005
Approval date:
20 July 2026
Review date:
1 July 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.