Our Services

Counselling Service

OVERVIEW:

Our Counselling Service offers one to one assessment and counselling for patients over 16 years of age registered with Wigan Borough GPs. The service is provided by a team of qualified counsellors.

Who can access the service?

The patient has to be over 16 years old and registered with a GP in the Borough. The referral can be made by a GP or primary health care professional. The client can also self refer using our Single Point of Access number - Monday to Friday 01942 483 483.

Presenting issues include: mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, complex or extended bereavement, coping with chronic illness or significant injury, family/relationship issues, loss (employment, relationship, and health), identity issues i.e. gender and/or sexuality.

Options for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria: They would need to speak either to their own GP or to Psychological services - Monday to Friday 01942 483 483.

Clients accessing our service who were not eligible would be referred back to the GP or on to an appropriate service. For example if a couple wanted counselling we could offer them the opportunity to be seen by two different counsellors or we could suggest a self-referral to relate.

For severe and immediate mental health problems we would organise a referral to crisis resolution or the access team at Leigh Infirmary. They would perform an assessment and refer on to CMHT or Psychology Services.
Where is the service offered?
How can people access the service?

Referrals are made by telephoning the bookings line - Monday to Friday 01942 483 483.

The patient is sent service information forms and a form allowing them to ‘opt in’ to the Counselling service. This form is completed and returned to:

The Counselling Service
Atherton Health Centre
Ormerod House
Nelson Street
Atherton
M46 0LE

Client’s are entered onto a waiting list. Client’s will be asked to attend an assessment appointment within four weeks of being referred.

Patients will then be invited to undertake a course of Counselling when sessions become available.
Contact details

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