Welcome to our Counselling Services

This leaflet describes what our Counselling Service does and your rights as a user of the service.

		if you have any queries after reading the handbook, please contact any member of staff
		Our counselling team offers support and counselling to individuals, family members or carers, who are affected by the misuse of drugs and alcohol in the west Lothian area
		you can gain access to our family support network, which meets on a monthly basis
		staff, volunteers and students working for the Counselling Service carry identity cards signed by our management committee. You can ask to see these especially if you are seeing a counsellor in your own home.

Expectations

		our counsellors see people by appointment only.  Your first meeting with a counsellor will be for an assessment.  This will help us to find out what you are looking for and if we are the right service for you.
		both you and your counsellor will be expected to attend at agreed times.  Should you or your counsellor be unable to attend given advance notice of any change of appointment should be given by phone or letter.
		if you miss an arranged appointment and would like another, please contact us.  You are free to stop counselling sessions at any time, however should you wish you can reapply to our service for help.
		The premises in Craigshill do not have suitable access arrangements for people with physical disabilities, however we will try to provide the counselling sessions in relaxed, safe and more accessible setting in your area.
		Unfortunately, we do not provide childcare facilities.  Should childcare prove difficult for you, we will try to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement.

On no account will we tolerate aggressive or threatening behaviour.

What does this mean?

   Your permission is asked before giving out any information about you to anyone outside the Staff Team (which may include a student)

   Your permission is asked before information is used for research and statistical purposes.  This information does not reveal your identity.

Exceptions

If we were concerned that there is a serious risk that you may harm yourself, or others, or that children may be in danger, we would pass this concern on to the appropriate service.

Where ever possible we would speak to you first, but we may in certain circumstances have to pass on information without your consent.

Open access

We keep brief records on all our clients.  We ensure that these are kept secure at all times.  As a client you have the right to see your records.  You may also see information given by anyone else for example your Social Worker, Partner, or Relatives.  However, like you they have to give permission for this to be shared.

How to comment on the service

We aim to offer you access to a good quality service and subscribe to COSLA's code of ethics. However, if you wish to make suggestions or have a complaint about the Service, or a counsellor, you can write to:

Your complaint will be taken seriously and you can expect an early response.

Your ideas and thoughts are very welcome and will be taken seriously by the team.  You may be asked to complete an evaluation form.  We believe in constantly improving our service to meet the needs of our users.

Office hours

Our Counselling Service is open:

Monday - Friday  9.00am - 5.00pm

Evening appointments are available by arrangements

There is an answering machine out of working hours, on which you can leave a short message, your name and telephone number.  A member of staff will contact you as soon as possible.