What is Counselling for Carers?
Counselling for a carer is a space where you can be honest about your feelings without judgement, reprisal or consequence. Caring for a loved one or as a carer may lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, stress and grief which can leave you feeling isolated.
Guilt and Shame
You may push down emotions day after day after day and believe that you are caring for the person you love because ‘you love them’ and it is ‘the right thing to do’. I do not doubt that this is true of many but you may find that those moments of frustration, sadness, exhaustion, loneliness, despair, loss and grief become overwhelming. If you have nowhere for them to go, they can become a toxic cocktail which may turn into anger, resentment, irritation, overwhelm and you may find your ability to care with compassion becomes harder and harder. Then the feelings of guilt and shame wash over you like a shadow of darkness.
Unpack your Emotions
Counselling is a space where you can unpack your emotions, be honest and open about them. Like a pressure cooker you can take off the lid and let them out. You can talk about your hopes and fears, you can share your feelings of loss as the person you are caring for has been changed by their illness. You can sit with your feelings of shame and guilt and process them.
Talking with a counsellor offers a cocoon, a space to vent, a sounding board, a space where it is safe to honestly sit with your emotions, cry, shout, talk, whatever you need to see you through. I will sit with you and support and listen and offer you a mental ‘first aid kit’ to support you. You are not alone I am here to support you.
Contact me to book an initial session and I will support you.
Carers support
If you are carer, you are not alone, there are many people who are here to support you. There are helplines and support groups who will offer support, below are some of those who can offer expert advice.
Action for Carers
Action for Carers Surrey is a registered charity. We are here to help unpaid carers of all ages, right across Surrey, with information, support and advice.
Phone: 0303 040 1234
Website: https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk
Carers Direct
Information, advice and support for carers.
Phone: 0300 123 1053
Website: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
Carers Trust
Information and support for carers including a network of more than 140 carers’ centres across the UK.
Phone: 0300 772 9600 or email: info@carers.org
Website: www.carers.org
Carers UK
Expert advice, information and support for carers.
Phone: 0808 808 7777. Mondays and Tuesdays 10am – 4pm
Website: www.carersuk.org
Care for Carers
A care group support association
Website: http://www.careforcarers.org.uk/
Continence Foundation
Treatment, prevention, causes, types and living with continence
Website: http://www.continence-foundation.org.uk/
The Princes Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire
Part of the network of 144 Carer Centres in the UK
Phone: 01264 835246
Email: info@carercentre.com
Website: https://carercentre.com/
Carers Trust Network
Website: https://carers.org/about-us/the-carers-trust-network
Carers Trust – Services near you
Website: https://carers.org/help-and-info/carer-services-near-you
Cross Roads Care Wokingham
Phone: 0118 979 5324
Email: contact@wokinghamcrossroads.org
Website: https://wokinghamcrossroads.org/
Cross Roads Care South Central
Phone: 01903 790270
Email: admin@crossroadscare-sc.org
Website: http://www.crossroadscare-sc.org/
Crossroads Care Surrey
Phone: 01372 869970
Email: enquiries@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
Website: https://crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk/
Action for Carers Surrey
Phone: 0303 040 1234 / 07714 075993
Email: CarerSupport@actionforcarers.org.uk
Website: https://www.actionforcarers.org.uk/
Reading & West Berkshire Carers Hub
Phone: 0118 324 7333
Email: ask@berkshirecarershub.org
Website: http://www.berkshirecarershub.org/
Sue Ryder Hospice
Phone: 0118 955 0400
Website: https://www.sueryder.org/
Blue Bird Care
Blue Bird Care are committed to providing the highest quality home care so that customers can remain in their own homes.
Phone: 02392 009978
Email: care@bluebirdcare.co.uk
Website: https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk