South East London Counselling

Confidential Psychotherapy & Counselling

Personal therapy gives you a chance to explore your issues confidentially, starting from where you are in your life.

A skilled therapist can help clarify the paths you are choosing, the conflicts that are holding you back and the strengths you can develop and build on to make things better.

Email info@southeastlondoncounselling.org.uk or phone 020 8473 6931 or 020 7967 8858.

All emails and telephone contacts, including phone messages, are dealt with individually, receive a prompt response and are held in strictest confidence.

We Can Help With

Most people come to counselling at a time of crisis. This could be due to an event such as a death or the breakup of a relationship. It may be intense feelings, anxiety or depression for example, or behaviour like loss of temper or drinking, that have got out of control. The therapist will listen and try to understand you and your situation, as well as the crisis itself.

But don't wait for a crisis before getting help.

We can help with:

  • emotional problems
  • low self-esteem
  • relationships
  • difficulties at work
  • bereavement
  • alcohol
  • sexual problems
  • anxiety or stress
  • panic attacks
  • obsessions & compulsions
  • depression
  • drugs

If life seems pointless or you suffer from a general lack of energy or feelings of emptiness, dissatisfaction or unhappiness, you can be helped.

Who We Are

When SELC was started in 1992 the word counselling was used as a general term for offering help at a personal level without any medical assumptions of illness or treatment. Its aim was to help people improve the quality of their lives: to help people deal with life events like injury or loss, specific psychological problems (like phobias or panic attacks) or more general unhappiness or dissatisfaction.

Since then those of us from the original core of the organisation have carried on developing through our practices and we have added new associates with a wide range of psychotherapy qualifications.

We are required to be in regular supervision with someone qualified and experienced so that our learning carries on beyond our training. We have all been in therapy ourselves and most of us carry on studying, attending lectures and workshops or further training. In addition, SELC members meet regularly for talks and discussions.

We have members who are experienced at working with couples, families, children and groups as well as individuals. We also offer staff counselling to organisations and supervision to other professionals in the field.

Our members are highly experienced and all belong to a recognised psychotherapy or counselling association, agreeing to be bound by the code of ethics and standards of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Beginning Therapy

Your first meeting with a SELC therapist will be to assess your needs and allow us to identify a suitable course of treatment. Usually this continues with the same therapist but sometimes discussion in the interview leads to the recommendation of a different therapist from our group. Whoever you see you will pay their fee directly to them.

Whatever brings you to seek help, the therapist will start by trying to understand you and the situation you are in. You will be talking about things that are troubling you and that you may be ashamed of. You may also feel at loss about where to begin and what's important to tell.

On the other side, we, as therapists won't mind where you start and will appreciate the awkwardness of the situation. We have had our own therapy and know that, whatever anyone says, however it seems to be from the outside, however we believe it ought to be, life is generally not straightforward and easy. So we want to give you the opportunity to talk about things in your own way, to see what's difficult and what's important to you. It's the beginning of a process of working together to get to the heart of your concerns and find the things that will really help.

Therapy has the goal of helping us face the realities of our lives and we often prefer to be comfortable in the short term rather than bettering ourselves. Many people feel worse before they start to feel better, but when therapy is good it goes on working for us even after it's finished.

Contact Us

Our consulting rooms are spread around South East London so be sure to let us know where you are, or can get to conveniently, when you contact us. Also, it's helpful to know if you're available during the day or need an evening appointment.

Contact us by phone

020 7967 8858
07734 152807
020 8690 8423
020 8473 6931

Answerphone messages receive a prompt response.

Contact us by email

Email: info@southeastlondoncounselling.org.uk

All email and telephone contacts, including phone messages, are dealt with individually, receive a prompt response and are held in strictest confidence.

Costs

The initial interview has a fixed cost of £50 for individuals. £60 for couples and families.

Our therapists set their own fees for ongoing sessions: usually from £50 upwards.

We are all self-employed so concessions are limited but can sometimes be negotiated depending on circumstances.

Sessions generally last 50 minutes and take place at weekly intervals. Depending on the issues a long term commitment may not be needed; short-term therapy can be very successful.

We aim to offer valuable, life-changing therapy for affordable fees.

Because we know that private therapy cannot generally be afforded by people on benefits and low incomes we have included a list (and contact details) of organisations offering low cost therapy.

You should note that many of them will have changed their working practices, and may be unavailable, because of the Coronavirus Crisis.

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Low Cost Counselling

The following is a list of London-based counselling organisations that offer free or low cost counselling. It is not comprehensive - there are other options to be found. Many organisations operate a means-related sliding scale of fees or ask for a donation. Some have a waiting list for concessionary places that you can join. Your doctor may also be able to put you in touch with a qualified counsellor.

The Minster Centre

20 Lonsdale Road,
Queen’s Park, NW6 6RD

Direct Line: 020 7644 6242
Switchboard: 020 7644 6240
e: counselling@minstercentre.org.uk
w: www.minstercentre.org.uk

Low-cost Counselling and Psychotherapy Service

Balham Low Cost Centre

Wandsworth Association of Therapists
293 Balham Rd. SW17

t: 020 8767 2828
e: info@wandsworthap.co.uk
w: www.wandsworthap.co.uk

The Brandon Centre

Kentish Town

t: 020 7267 4792
e: reception@brandon-centre.org.uk
w: www.brandoncentre.org.uk

Free for ages 12-21

Cassel Centre

4 Waldram Park Rd. SE23 2PN

t: 020 8291 3436
e: graham@casselcentre.org
www.casselcentre.org

for those living or working in Lewisham; sliding scale, free for unemployed.

The Farringdon Practice

59 St.John st. EC1M 4AN

t: 020 7250 0083
e : info@thefarringdonpractice.co.uk
w: www.thefarringdonpractice.co.uk

Long-term psychotherapy on a sliding scale by fully qualified, registered practitioners with many years experience.

Waterloo Community Counselling

Barley Mow Clinic, Frazier St. SE1 7BD

t: 020 7928 3462
e: info@waterloocc.co.uk
w: www.waterloocc.co.uk

Low-cost counselling on a sliding scale according to income, from £10 per session. Free Multi-Ethnic Counselling in a range of languages for refugees and asylum-seekers and members of BME communities.

Womens Consortium

Cricklewood, Kilburn, Wembley

e: info@womensconsortium.org.uk
w: www.womensconsortium.org.uk

Faces in Focus

102 Harper Rd. SE

t: 020 7403 2444
w: www.facesinfocus.org.uk

Free service for young people

Bereavement Services for London

w: www.bereavement.org

Inner City Centre

t: 020 7247 1589
e: referrals@icclondon.org.uk
w: www.icclondon.org.uk/

Low cost Counselling/Psychotherapy in the City and throughout London.

MIND

Ormiston Road Centre, Greenwich

t: 020 8853 1735/020 8854 8005
w: www.greenwichmind.co.uk

Free counselling for men and women within catchment area

Connexions Direct

t: 0800 13 2 1940
w: www.connexions-direct.com

information and advice for young people. Nationwide and local.

The Albany Trust Centre

293 Balham High Rd. SW17

t: 020 8767 1827
e: albanytrust@hotmail.co.uk
w: www.albanytrust.org.uk

Fees on a sliding scale, some low cost places.

The May Tree Sanctuary for the Suicidal

72, Moray Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3LG

t: 020 7263 7070
e: maytree@maytree.org.uk
w: www.maytree.org.uk

Free for London Residents

St. Marylebone Healing & Counselling Centre

t: 020 7935 5066
e: parish@stmarylebone.org
w: www.stmarylebone.org.uk

Christian based service with counselling and psychotherapy.

Salvation Army Counselling Service

1 Water Lane, Stratford

t: 020 8536 5480
e: counselling@salvationarmy.org.uk

Croydon Pastoral Foundation

4 Frith Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1TA

t: 020 8760 0665

The Awareness Centre

41 Abbeville Rd, SW4 9JX

t: 020 8673 4545
e: info@theawarenesscentre.com
w: www.theawarenesscentre.com

Counselling Contribution Scheme for individuals on state benefits, students over 18, living on state pension in receipt of working tax credit and clients registered as disabled. Counselling available on a long or short term basis to suit your needs.

NAFSIYAT Intercultural Therapy

Unit 4, Clifton House, 42/43 Clifton Terrace, N4 3JP

t: 020 7263 6947
e: admin@nafsiyat.org.uk
w: www.nafsiyat.org.uk

Therapists from different ethnic backgrounds; some counselling in languages other than English.

Project for Advice Counselling & Education (PACE)

34 Hartham Rd. N7 9JL

t: 020 7700 1323
e: pacehelpline@pacehealth.org.uk
w: www.pacehealth.org.uk

Counselling for lesbians and gay men, fees on a sliding scale.

The Centre for Better Health

1A Darnley Road E9 6QH

t: 020 8985 3570
e: admin@centreforbetterhealth.org.uk
w: www.centreforbetterhealth.org.uk

The Centre for Better Health offers a low cost integrative counselling service that adheres to BACP guidelines. Fees begin at £5 for unemployed and can range to £20 for employed persons.

Southwark Carers

Cambridge House, 131 Camberwell Rd. SE5 OHF

t: 020 7708 4497
e: info@southwarkcarers.org.uk
w: www.southwarkcarers.org.uk

Relate

t: 0845 456 1310
w: www.relate.org.uk

Relationship Counselling from local centres. eg. Bromley, Croydon, Dartford etc.

Relationship Counselling for London

Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Pk. NW3 5BA

t: 020 7435 7111
w: www.tavi-port.org

Training Centres that may be able to provide low cost counselling and psychotherapy by students under supervision:

Westminster Pastoral Foundation

WPF Therapy, 23 Magdalen Street, SE1 2EN

t: 020 7378 2000
e: counselling@wpf.org.uk
w: www.wpf.org.uk

Fees on a sliding scale.

Psychosynthesis & Education Trust

92/94 Tooley Street, SE1 2TH

t: 020 7403 7814
e: cservice@petrust.org.uk
w: www.counsellingservice.org.uk/

Counselling can be offered to those who cannot pay the full session fee and who are considered suitable to work with 2nd and 3rd year training counsellors supervised by the Trust. If you are interested in this scheme, please say so when making contact.

Institute of Family Therapy

24/32 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HX

t: 020 8579 2505
e: clinical@instituteoffamilytherapy.org.uk
w: www.instituteoffamilytherapy.org.uk

General Lists of Counsellors and Psychotherapists by Area:

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

w: www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists

South London Counselling Directory, your local guide to confidential support

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

w: www.psychotherapy.org.uk

Guild of Psychotherapists

47 Nelson Square SE1 0QA

t: 020 7401 3266 (The administrator is available to answer the phone Tuesday to Friday)
e: admin@guildofpsychotherapists.org.uk
w: www.guildofpsychotherapists.org.uk

There is a sliding scale of charges ranging from £4 - £20 per session, with an initial consultation costing £7 - £25.