Counselling for Carers | Connecting Carers

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Our counselling service

Free, confidential and impartial counselling for Carers

We offer counselling sessions to unpaid Carers in Highland face to face, by telephone, or online via a secure platform such as Zoom.

Our Volunteer Counsellors are trained professionals who help you develop a better understanding of yourself and others. Counsellors listen to you without judgement. They don’t tell you what to do – they help you find your own solutions, whether it is making effective changes or learning how to cope.

We also have Volunteer Student Counsellors, they have completed their 3-year training at UHI and passed their final exam, to become fully qualified they must then complete 100hrs of practice (a placement), they do this as part of our counselling team and are fully supported by our Volunteer Coordinator and an external experienced Counselling Supervisor. You have the option to decline a student Counsellor if you wish.

Counselling sessions are held at an agreed time and in a safe, private space which is free from interruptions. Your counsellor listens to you in confidence and does not disclose any information that you provide to anyone else. Confidentiality and privacy are essential for building trust between you and your counsellor.

Sessions are usually weekly or fortnightly for a period of six to twelve weeks, dependent on the support required, timescales will be agreed between you and your counsellor.

If you would like to find out more about our free counselling service, please call our Carer Support Line on 01463 723560, or email carers@connectingcarers.org.uk.

Counselling and the caring role

Many people undertaking a caring role benefit from counselling. This is especially true if you feel caring is affecting your mental, emotional or physical health. Counselling can help if you’re feeling overwhelmed or emotional, or are facing difficult decisions. You may want help to cope with anxiety or stress. It may involve discussing past and present life events, your feelings, relationships, ways of thinking and patterns of behaviour. Carers often feel isolated with no one to talk to. Even with supportive friends and family it can sometimes be difficult to explain why you are feeling anxious or depressed. You might find it easier to talk about personal issues with someone independent.

How counselling works

Counselling offers an opportunity to talk about thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential environment. It provides time and space to think about your own needs. It can help you explore your emotions and problems and find a better understanding of yourself and others, which may help improve the situation. A counsellor doesn’t give their opinions or advice. They help you look at your concerns so that you can identify the best course of action to cope or resolve issues. This can help you make sense of your emotions and develop coping mechanisms for issues that cannot be resolved. New ideas and ways of thinking may emerge so that you are better able to cope with your life and your caring role. Counselling is not a quick fix. It can be hard work, and you might feel emotionally drained and heavy by the end of a session. But by the final few sessions you should begin to feel lighter, more positive and more energised.