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1. Lifecentre counsellors

2. Referrals

3. Our contract for counselling

4. Confidentiality

5. Exception to confidentiality

1. Lifecentre Counsellors

• Lifecentre currently has a team of 17 face to face counsellors.

• All of our counsellors have a minimum qualification of a Diploma in Counselling. They are also all trained in working with trauma, using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy. They are all trained in providing Pre Trial therapy and the issues that raises for any potential court hearing. They are all trained in using creative techniques within the counselling such as different forms of art therapy. Many of them have special additional areas of expertise - like psychosexual counselling, substance mis-use and addictions expertise, bereavement counselling, mindfulness or play therapy. All of us have specialist experience and training in helping survivors of sexual trauma.

• All staff must hold a clean Enhanced Disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau and have suitable professional references and experience.

• Lifecentre also provides training and professional supervision for all counsellors.

• Lifecentre works within the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Policy

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2. Referrals

• Lifecentre accepts appropriate referrals from GPs, Social Services, the Police and other professional agencies, as well as from self-referring individuals or through our Helplines.

• Referrals will be considered from male and female clients who have experienced any form of sexual violation and who consider this the primary focus they wish to work through in counselling.

• We will provide counselling for supporters and close family members affected relationally by sexual abuse.

• Our service is offered on a non-discriminatory basis irrespective of race, gender, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation.

• Lifecentre has a policy of not working with perpetrators of sexual violence. Information will be given to such clients as to alternative agencies that can offer them a service.

• Lifecentre will take referrals for face to face counselling from clients where we are the nearest specialised service to where they live.

• We would not consider Lifecentre an appropriate service for individuals who are currently receiving support for severe Mental Health issues.

• We work collaboratively with mental health/drug & alcohol teams.  If a client is under a psychiatrist, we will always consult with the psychiatrist before offering counselling.

see more details about our referral criteria

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3. Contract for Counselling

• Lifecentre offers an Initial Assessment Interview with new clients in order to assess the suitability of the client to the service, and to agree a framework within which the client and counsellor will work.

• Lifecentre offers a time-limited service of 18 counselling sessions spread over one year.

•Clients are requested to complete 3 feed-back assessment forms of their progress in counselling (at the beginning, midway, and at the ending).

• Therapeutic progress will be assessed regularly in conjunction with Lifecentre professional supervisors.

• Adults receiving counselling are requested to make a contribution towards the cost of their counselling according to their means.

• Lifecentre has a Service-Users Complaints Procedure (Code of Practice C3) available to clients.

for further details, see our policies section

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4. Confidentiality

• Lifecentre works with a policy of strict confidentiality within our service. We offer our clients the highest level of confidentiality consistent with the law and the ethical framework of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Confidentiality within our service means that information given will not go outside the Lifecentre team. All counsellors meet regularly with a professionally trained supervisor to ensure that their work is to the highest standard. Our supervisors would be included within the confidentiality of the service.

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5. Exceptions to confidentiality

• Lifecentre works within the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Policy. If a client tells us about a child or vulnerable adult who is being abused or who is at risk of significant harm, we will need to tell either the Police or the Children and Young People's Services (CYPS) about this.We always try to work in co-operation with our clients and will discuss with them how we plan to proceed. However, eventually, either the Police or CYPS will need to be told, so that the young person or vulnerable adult can be protected

• If a client discloses serious imminent plans for committing suicide or for causing serious harm to someone else, our counsellors have a legal obligation to report this to the appropriate service. This will be done as far as possible with the client's consent. However, if necessary, an ambulance or GP will be informed without consent, in order to save life.

• Our service is offered on a non-discriminatory basis irrespective of race, gender, age, disability, religion or sexual orientation.

• We have a legal obligation to report to the police anyone who is planning offences under the Terrorism or Data Protection Acts

for further details, see our policies section

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"Here to listen - not to judge"