LGF counselling service
The LGF has been providing a counselling service to the LGBT community of the North West for well over a decade. We presently offer individual counselling, a limited couple counselling service and art psychotherapy.
We have a large team of volunteer counsellors and currently offer counselling to individuals between 10am to 8pm (last appointment) Monday to Friday.
More on counselling:
• What is counselling?
• Benefits of counselling
• Counselling FAQ
• Volunteering as a counsellor
• Application for counselling form
Our Face-to-Face counselling service offers short term counselling of between six to twelve sessions.
Our counselling service has a revolving door policy so clients can undertake a period of counselling, and are able to return at a later date (a minimum of 3 months) for further counselling should the need arise.
We offer counselling to all people regardless of their ability to pay and will agree a fee with you at your counselling assessment. We currently offer free counselling to all people under the age of 25 and Asylum seekers.
People of all ages consider counselling for a variety of reasons such as coming out, struggling to accept their sexuality, experiencing problems in their relationship or feeling anxious or depressed. If you feel you might benefit from counselling please refer yourself to our Face-to-Face counselling service by completing and returning the Application for Counselling form via FREEPOST. If you do not have access to a printer we can post a form out to you. Please email your name and address to counselling@lgf.org.uk.
If you have a question about our counselling service please check our FAQ or email counselling@lgf.org.uk
Couple Counselling at the LGF
We currently offer a limited couple-counselling service. The couple counselling service is for all LGBT couples. To apply please fill in the Application for Counselling form and put both of your names and contact phone numbers on the form. Please note the waiting time for this service is presently over 3 months.
Our couple counsellor will contact you to arrange the first meeting which is an assessment session. Couples may find counselling useful to help resolve issues that have arisen in their relationship; but may also find it useful if they have reached a point of irretrievable breakdown and want to use the counselling sessions to help bring their relationship to a respectful end.
Art Therapy at the LGF
We are fortunate to be a placement for students studying the MA in Art Psychotherapy Practice at Leeds University. This means we are able to offer LGF counselling clients the opportunity to work with an Art Psychotherapist.
Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of communication. Clients who are referred to an art therapist need have no previous experience or skill in art. The overall aim of Art Therapy is to enable a client to effect change and personal growth through the use of art materials within a safe and facilitating environment.
Art therapy differs from other psychological therapies in that it is a three way process between the client, the therapist and the image or artefact. Thus it offers the opportunity for expression and communication and can be particularly helpful to people who find it hard to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. However, this does not exclude people who are able to express their thoughts and feelings but want to work in a more creative way.
You will be asked at your counselling assessment if you are interested in working with an art therapist or you can make your interest clear on your application for counselling form.
Forms you can download to send in: