Our servicesServices for adultsCounselling

Counselling

Our specialist counsellors are here to support you in coming to terms with and coping with the impact of domestic abuse as you rebuild your life. They are here to listen, discuss and help you process your experiences in a trauma-informed space.

You can experience both short and long-term emotional and behavioural impacts as a result of living with domestic abuse, and everyone will react differently. Through one-to-one counselling, you will guide the sessions and your counsellor will support you with your experiences and linked trauma.

Referrals for counselling are currently closed.

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About counselling

Our free counselling support is available to all women who have experienced domestic abuse but are no longer in the abusive relationship and looking to take the next steps towards their recovery.

Through weekly one-to-one sessions, across a minimum of 12 weeks, our highly-qualified volunteer counsellors will work alongside you to understand your individual trauma and the impact that domestic abuse has had on your life. Counselling support empowers you to take the next steps to recovery using the practical coping mechanisms you have learnt. It also helps you understand how certain behaviours and reactions can be linked to trauma and enables you to feel safer and freer from the impacts of abuse.

"I immediately felt we connected well and that she got me. That is definitely something I have taken away from every service I have used within Rising Sun, it that they JUST. GET. IT! And that is so important. She allowed me to be angry, to be sad, anxious, scared etc. Throughout, I really felt like she was on my side, in my corner and that had such a huge impact."

How can counselling help me?

Our team of volunteer counsellors are here to support you as you move towards rebuilding your life. Her role is to support you as you come to terms with the domestic abuse you’ve experienced, and the impact that it’s had on your life.

Here are some examples of how your counsellor can support you:

  • Giving you the space to talk through your experiences with a highly-qualified counsellor
  • Support with trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, flashbacks, panic attacks, nightmares, sleeplessness or irritability
  • Understanding how domestic abuse trauma has impacted your life
  • Developing coping strategies to work through your trauma
  • Increasing your level of safety and recognising healthy relationships

How does it work?

Receiving support through Rising Sun’s Counselling Service is completely free for women who have experienced domestic abuse. If you live in Canterbury, Ashford or Folkestone & Hythe, are 16 or above, and are no longer in the abusive relationship, you can be referred into our service by a professional, friends & family or by yourself.

Your referral will be processed by our team, and you will be invited to an assessment with our Therapeutic Lead who will match you with a volunteer counsellor. Once matched with a counsellor, you will be placed onto a waiting list. Whilst on the waiting list, you will receive touch-point phone calls from a volunteer to check how you are, and whether anything has changed in your circumstances or safety level.

When a space becomes available, you will be invited to start your counselling. You will initially be offered 12 weekly sessions, lasting roughly an hour each, which can be over the phone, in person or via Zoom. If after 12 sessions you feel that you need further support, your weekly sessions can continue. On average, women receive 16 sessions of counselling.

Referrals for counselling are currently closed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rising Sun's counselling service free?

Yes, all of Rising Sun’s services are provided to women and children free of charge.

Rising Sun is a registered charity, working to provide lifesaving support to women and children experiencing and surviving domestic abuse. We are incredibly grateful to our funders and supporters who enable us to provide our specialist services for free.

If you’re able to help us to continue being here for more women and children in the future, please consider donating today.

Make a donation
Why are referrals to counselling closed?

We have currently closed external referrals to our counselling service due to our waiting list reaching maximum capacity. We will review the waiting list for our counselling service every 6 months.

Below we have shared links to other local counselling services:

Where do counselling sessions take place?

All of our counselling sessions are delivered one-to-one, and our volunteer counsellors are flexible with providing support recognising that everyone’s experiences are unique. Your sessions can be either over the phone, in-person or online via Zoom.

This can be discussed in your assessment with the Therapeutic Lead at the start of your counselling journey.

How many counselling sessions can I have?

You will initially be offered 12 weekly sessions, lasting roughly an hour each, which can be over the phone, in person or via Zoom.

If after 12 sessions yourself and your counsellor feel that you need further support, your weekly sessions can continue for an agreed period of time. On average, women receive 16 sessions of counselling.

Further services for your recovery

Café Support Group

Survivor Forum

Outreach Support

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