What is counselling?

Counselling offers the time and space with a counsellor for you to explore and move towards understanding what is troubling you. You may then choose, with the support of the counsellor, to find ways of making some changes in your life.

What type of counselling do you provide?

Your counsellor will listen to you, try to understand and help you to make connections. They will use various approaches to help you make sense of what is happening in your life.    All the counsellors are different and your relationship with your counsellor will be unique. Their main purpose is to support you through the counselling process.

How long is a session?

Sessions are 50 minutes long and take place weekly; both daytime and evening appointments are available.

How many sessions?

You will normally be offered an initial block of six counselling sessions. Towards the end of this period, you and your counsellor will review your progress and discuss your ongoing needs. If further counselling is considered beneficial and capacity allows, additional sessions may be offered.

How much will it cost?

Life Changes is a charity. To help us maintain and develop our service, we ask for a contribution of £35 per counselling session, payable in advance.

If you are not currently working and/or are receiving benefits, we will discuss your individual circumstances to assess affordability and your ability to contribute towards the cost of counselling. Subject to availability, limited grant funding may be available to help make counselling more affordable.

Any contribution arrangement will be discussed and agreed with the Counselling Coordinator during your initial consultation.

Is it confidential?

Any information about yourself, including the fact that you are in counselling, will be confidential to Life Changes.

The only exception to this confidentiality is if your Counsellor, or a member of the clinical team, is concerned that you may harm yourself or other people. They will then speak to you about their concern (where reasonably possible) before breaking confidentiality and speaking to an appropriate third party, such as a GP or other medical professional. This is in accordance with the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026 - guidance from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Also in accordance with these guidelines, all counsellors are required to have regular clinical supervision. The Clinical Supervisor's role is to support the counsellor and help ensure a safe, ethical and consistent service for all people accessing support with Life Changes Counselling. Clinical Supervision sessions also adhere to the same confidentiality and guidance from the BACP.

Where does counselling take place?

We meet clients in private counselling rooms at Winchester House, Carlton Crescent, Southampton (click on "Find Us" for details) and also have access to a range of community venues. These alternative locations may be more suitable for individuals with accessibility requirements or disabilities.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed significant expertise in delivering online counselling and continue to offer this option for those who are unable to attend face-to-face sessions. If you would prefer online counselling, please let us know when making your enquiry.

Find Us

Winchester House is a distinctive white building with a gated archway and steps leading to the main entrance. It is located next to the London Road Brewhouse and opposite Richer Sounds, at the junction of Carlton Crescent, Carlton Place and London Road.

The building is well served by public transport, with several bus routes stopping on London Road and around the Civic Centre, both of which are less than a 10-minute walk away. There are also numerous bicycle stands nearby, as well as city bike and e-scooter hire bays.

On-street metered parking is available on Carlton Crescent and London Road, although charges can be relatively high. More economical parking options are available in several nearby car parks within a 3-10 minute walk, including Bedford Place, Ordnance Road Car Park and King's Park Road Car Park.