National Counselling Service Leaflet

Alzheimer Scotland National Counselling Service www.alzscot.org

Alzheimer Scotland National Counselling Service At Alzheimer Scotland we know that the “There have been times lately when Covid-19 virus has had a huge impact I dearly wished that I could change on so many people, but the toll has the past. Well, I can’t, but I can been particularly harsh on people with change the present so that when it dementia, their carers and families. We becomes the past it will turn out to know that for many people already be a past worth having.” managing the daily challenges that brain changes bring, this pandemic has been Sir Terry Pratchett, I shall Wear the final straw. Midnight We know that services people relied What exactly is counselling? upon suddenly disappeared, that seeing a GP or a nurse became impossible, and In a nutshell, it is an opportunity for having to stay at home - but forgetting you to spend a number of sessions of why, or when the person you live with approximately 50 minutes talking to a doesn’t understand has put intense strain trained counsellor who provides a safe, on relationships and wellbeing. confidential space for you to explore what in your life is causing you distress, We know that for some, the heart- worry and affecting your peace of mind; rending decision to take up residential and discover how you might resolve care has come too soon. these feelings. Because you have told us, we know that You may want to share information that the people we support have experienced you are unable to share with family or loss, trauma, loneliness, fear, guilt, illness, friends. Your counsellor is trained to anger, grief, depression; intense emotions listen in a special way; focusing entirely that can leave people feeling baffled on you and your needs. They will not and lost. judge you in any way and want to really understand what walking in your shoes Because you told us this, Alzheimer is like. Scotland successfully applied to the Scottish Government for funding to offer This process can help you find a different counselling; and we are pleased that the perspective, reach into your reserves, and new FREE National Counselling Service is find acceptance of things you cannot now available to people with a diagnosis change and courage to change the things of dementia, their carers, or family you can. members throughout Scotland. This leaflet explains what counselling is, how it can help, what to expect and how to access the service.

Confidentiality How will I see my counsellor? What you discuss with your counsellor For the foreseeable future, counselling is confidential and only shared with your sessions will be offered by telephone, or consent. The only exceptions to this are: preferably online via ‘Attend Anywhere’. This is a confidential internet system • If your counsellor has serious used by the NHS, which allows your concerns about you harming yourself counsellor and you to see and speak or another person. to each other over the internet, using a tablet, smart phone, laptop or computer. • If a court makes a legal order We will explain this more fully and how you can be supported to use this, if you • Your counsellor may share information are offered counselling. about you with their clinical supervisor – but does not identify you in any way. Safety All counsellors are obliged to review We will often talk about being ‘safe’. their practice in regular clinical This has a slightly different meaning in supervision with a qualified and counselling; it means that in counselling experienced counselling supervisor. you should feel confident your However, your counsellor will ensure counsellor is properly trained, competent any information obtained about you is and their work is supervised. It also kept anonymous in any professional means you should be able to talk to your relationships - or example: counsellor without being overheard, or the counselling space being interrupted • In the relationship between an by visitors, family members or telephone organisation and its workers; calls. If counselling takes place in your own home by telephone or virtual calls • In the relationship between a – is this something you would be able to practitioner and their client-work ensure? supervisor Am I ready to begin counselling So that we can contact you - e.g. if your now? counsellor was suddenly taken ill and had to cancel your appointment, your People can experience a range of name, address and contact numbers emotions from the sometimes painful or email, will be securely held within and challenging process of counselling, Alzheimer Scotland, but only your as well as feelings of hope counsellor can access any notes they and relief. Are you ready have from your counselling sessions. to work with a counsellor over six sessions? It is “Counselling is like a trained important that you believe guide bringing a climber safely the journey will be worth off the mountain. The guide it and allow it to help you might know the way, but it is the through a particularly climber who must complete the difficult time. journey.” Anon.

What happens if I want to be What happens during counselling? referred for counselling? Both our counsellors work using a Talk to a member of Alzheimer Scotland ‘Person-Centred’ approach. staff who will complete the counselling referral form; or if you have been told It is important to understand that in about counselling by the 24 hour this approach, you, the client, and Dementia Helpline, contact them again the counsellor are both experts! The on 0808 808 3000 to let them know counsellor is trained in listening and you would like to be referred. working with you, but just as importantly YOU are the expert on you! Once we have received your referral, a counsellor will be in touch by telephone Carl Rogers – perhaps the most to discuss with you whether it would significant figure in the development of be helpful for you to proceed with counselling said: counselling at this time. “When someone really hears you If counselling goes ahead you will be without passing judgment on you, offered an appointment when you without trying to take responsibility and your counsellor can explore in for you, without trying to mould more depth what has brought you to you, it feels damn good. . . . counselling and what you hope to achieve. When I have been listened to and when I have been heard, I am able At the start of this session you and your to re-perceive my world in a new counsellor will also set the parameters way and to go on. It is astonishing of the counselling relationship, this will how elements which seem include: insoluble become soluble when someone listens. How confusions • reviewing and agreeing the which seem irremediable turn into counselling contract you will have relatively clear flowing streams received when one is heard.” • reviewing the confidentiality policy This sometimes comes as a bit of a you will have received surprise - but again - it is important to understand that counsellors don’t give • identifying the boundaries of advice or tell you what to do. Instead counselling they help guide you in exploring your experiences and feelings safely; in a • agree the cancellation policy way that helps you to process and understand them, and ultimately gain • discuss how you can complain if you insight into why you feel the way you are unhappy about your counselling do, helping you on your path to feeling experience better. • agreeing and arranging the number and frequency of sessions • and for you to ask any questions about the service. Our counsellors work within the guidance and policies of COSCA, Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy (tel: 01786 475140, www.cosca.org.uk), or BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (tel: 01455 883300, www.bacp.co.uk). They can be contacted for more information about counselling. Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, EH11 1DQ, 0131 243 1453, www.alzscot.org