"When people are finally diagnosed with MS, they have often been through a long period of baffling and uncomfortable symptoms.  These symptoms are then given a name - Multiple Sclerosis, but it seems that many people are then left and not given anything very helpful or hopeful to be getting on with.  This situation can very often lead to depression, which will affect not only the person with MS, but their families and partners as well."

Counselling

It is generally recognized that mind and body are inseparable. What affects one invariably affects the other. Hence it is equally as important to provide help and support for the emotional aspects of MS as for the physical effects and the symptoms.

Download a leaflet on Counselling.

The Counsellor

Alison Tucker is our counsellor at the Centre. She has counselled many people with MS.

Is counselling for you?

You may be needing some help and would find talking to someone in complete confidence of benefit to you.

Counselling can help with:-

• Anxiety or depression
• Low self-esteem
• Emotional problems
• Relationship difficulties
• Family / marital crises
• Work-related problems
• Bereavement
• Personal development

The role of the counsellor

The counsellor’s role is to be very supportive and to encourage you to find your own way forward. Counsellors do not give unwanted advice, spend time talking about themselves or pass judgement on you or others.

Individual Counselling

Individual counselling is an opportunity for you to talk with one of the counsellors and share the concerns and feelings you are experiencing. The counsellor will work with you to help you discover your inner resources.

“I have had very difficult times and I could not have got through without counselling. It has made me come though to see life more positively"

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling is for people wanting help with their relationship. The counsellor will not take sides, but will support you both in finding how you want to relate to each other.

“Counselling led us to a new understanding and has moderated the way we act and communicate with each other. It did not just help us at that time but is continuing to help us.”

Cost?

The Centre operates a voluntary contribution scheme.

Interested?

If you are interested in coming for counselling or would like to have more information, please get in touch with the Therapy Centre to book an appointment.

Comments from Members

“The conversations with the counsellor have opened my mind to think about other things in my life than MS”

“I found that by being able to talk with the counsellor, who was not someone immediately connected with my life, helped me to relax. I was then able to really understand my problems, so I could deal with them myself.”

“Most people want you to be strong to cope with MS and counselling gives you the opportunity to express how vulnerable and alone you can feel with it.”

"We are so lucky to have subsidised counselling with this Centre, not many places have it and it can be very expensive. I wouldn’t have survived without counselling."

“Since the counselling sessions the bad feelings don’t get anywhere near as deep as they used to. Both my wife and I are now far happier in our lives.”