0131 447 0876
What does the 'PF' stand for?
When can I receive counselling with the PF?
How much does it cost?
How many sessions do you offer?
What is counselling?
Who or what is a counsellor?
Who can come to PF Counselling?
Do I need to be referred?
Do you offer CBT?
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What does 'PF' stand for? | ||
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The Pastoral Foundation is the original registered name of the charity. In 1986 a group of people associated with the local churches felt that there was a need to offer a listening service in the area. The name Pastoral Foundation was given to the service at that time because they considered that the term "Pastoral" was appropriate to the caring nature of the service offered. The original listening service developed into a professional counselling service offering generic counselling to individuals and couples from all over Edinburgh and the Lothians and Borders. Over the years we found that members of the public thought that the name Pastoral Foundation indicated that it was a religious or church based service. To avoid this misconception the service was renamed the PF Counselling Service. |
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| • | When can I receive counselling with the PF? | ||
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work on an appointments system and there is often a waiting list of people
who would like counselling. We aim to see you for an assessment
appointment within two to six weeks of receiving you Registration Form, but after that it can
sometimes be up to three months before a regular space
is available. The more flexible you can be with your availability and preferences, the more quickly we are likely to be able to allocate you to a counsellor. Evening sessions are in high demand. We also have a limited Fast Track service designed for clients without financial restrictions who would like to be seen immediately by a qualified counsellor. The Fast Track service is available Friday afternoons and Saturdays. |
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| • | How much does it cost? | ||
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Although our counsellors are volunteers and do not receive any payment
for their work at the PF, the counselling service has considerable costs
such as rent, administrative staff, supervision and training costs. We
do not receive any guaranteed regular funding from central or local
government and we rely primarily on our own fundraising efforts, together
with donations and contributions from our users, in order to keep the
counselling service open. The typical cost of counselling
elsewhere is around £40 per session.
As part of their commitment to counselling, we encourage clients to make a financial contribution based on their income and 'ability to pay'. This would be discussed during the first appointment and reviewed throughout the counselling work. If client fees are paid by an employer or another organisation then £40 per session is charged. |
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| • | How many sessions do you offer? | ||
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The PF offers up
to 12 sessions of counselling initially, with an option of
extending to longer term work. Regular sessions last for 50 minutes and you would need to be available for these on the same day and time each week. Sometimes only a few sessions are required and you and your counsellor will know if it is appropriate to end sooner than the initial 12 sessions. After this period you can discuss with your counsellor whether to extend your counselling. |
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| • | What is counselling? | ||
| Sometimes we can feel unable to cope, depressed, anxious, alone or facing some difficulty we cannot see our way out of. Counselling offers time dedicated to you, with someone who has the skills and commitment to help you work though the issues that are affecting you. Counselling can also be beneficial for people who want to explore their own potential for personal change or growth. | |||
| • | Who or what is a Counsellor? | ||
| A counsellor is someone who is professionally trained to listen to your problems sensitively and with an open mind. To understand as fully as possible what is concerning you and how it is affecting your life. Without "judging" or offering "advice" a counsellor can help you to become more aware of your own inner resources and how you can use these to help you cope and discover new ways of dealing with difficult feelings, people or situations. A counsellor will work with you within an environment of absolute respect and confidentiality. All PF Counsellors work within strict professional/ethical guidelines. | |||
| • | Who can come to PF Counselling? | ||
| The PF offers counselling based on a mind, body, spirit approach to life and life's difficulties. The service is available to any individual and couple over the age of 18. | |||
| • | Do I need to be referred? | ||
| No. You can self-refer to the PF by completing the Registration Form. | |||
| • | Do you offer CBT? | ||
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CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is sometimes recommended by doctors and others as it has been shown to be effective for some people with problems such as depression and anxiety. It is increasingly being provided by the NHS as an alternative to drugs in such situations. At the PF we have a wide range of counsellors from many different therapeutic traditions. We believe that all counselling can help with the many problems people face in life and we do not focus on any one therapy or style. The PF does not offer specific courses in CBT, and cannot provide a 'CBT counsellor'. |
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