Target Groups

​​

Abacus Counselling and Support provides therapeutic support to:
 

• Individuals ( 13 years and above)

• Couples

• Families​

​

 

Presenting Issues We Support

​

We work with clients experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties, including:

​

• Low self-esteem

• Bereavement and loss

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Family breakdown

• Communication difficulties

• Bullying

• Domestic abuse

• Relationship issues

• Couples counselling needs

​

 

Referrals We Cannot Accept

​

We are unable to accept referrals where the client:

​

This appointment helps us to:

​

• Poses a significant risk to themselves or others

• Has severe or complex mental health needs requiring specialist services

• Has behavioural issues without an underlying emotional cause suitable for counselling

• Is currently involved in court proceedings where counselling may not be appropriate

• Requires specialist support outside the scope of our counsellors’ training and qualifications

 

 

Referral Procedure

​

Referrals from professionals can be made in one of the following ways:

​

• Completing the Abacus referral link below, or

• Providing client contact details for the service to make direct contact and complete the referral

​

All completed referral forms should be sent to both email addresses below.

​

If submitting electronically, referrals must be password protected, and the password should be shared separately for confidentiality.

​

Referrals should be sent to both:

​

• referral@abacuscounsellingandsupport.co.uk

• info@abacuscounsellingandsupport.co.uk

​

Assessment and Decision Making

​

All referrals are reviewed by the DUty Supervisor to determine suitability.

​

• If appropriate, the referral will be accepted and allocated to a counsellor.

• If not appropriate, the referrer will be informed and signposting may be provided where possible.

• If you are unsure whether a referral is suitable, please contact the Duty Supervisor on referral@abacuscounsellingandsupport.co.uk

​

Referrals may also be discussed within the team before a decision is made.

​

 

Contacting Clients and Next Steps

​

Once a referral has been accepted:

​

• The client will be contacted by telephone to arrange an initial meeting within ten days.

• For children and young people, parents or carers will be contacted in the first instance.

• If telephone contact is unsuccessful and the referral was made by an agency, the agency will be contacted to confirm contact details.

• If the referral was self-submitted and contact cannot be made, an email will be sent offering an appointment time.

​

If the client does not attend and does not make contact to rearrange, the case may be closed.

​

If the client attends the initial meeting and both the counsellor and client agree to proceed, ongoing counselling sessions will be arranged.

​

If at any stage the referral is deemed not appropriate, the referrer will be informed.