Business Details
Trusted Counselling Services in Alton
Alton Counselling Service (ACS) has been providing professional counselling services to Alton and surrounding communities for over 50 years. Established as a registered charity, we specialise in addressing emotional, psychological, and relationship challenges through confidential weekly sessions. Our team comprises fully qualified and trainee counsellors who adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework and receive regular clinical supervision. We offer both open-ended and short-term counselling (10 weeks) for adults, young people (16-18), and couples, operating within a non-judgmental, supportive environment. Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a member of the National Counselling Network, we maintain rigorous professional standards.Our services are subsidised through volunteer contributions, enabling cost-effective support for individuals facing depression, anxiety, bereavement, and work-related stress. We operate Monday to Thursday, 9am-7pm, with sessions priced at 50 for individuals and 60 for couples, adjusted according to financial circumstances. Our clinical team includes Dorothy Harte (Head of Counselling), Lissa Morris (Service Manager), and Dr. Paul Warren (Clinical Adviser), supported by a board of trustees. We also provide training opportunities for counsellors and host workshops on topics such as autism spectrum disorders and deprescribing from psychiatric medications. As a non-statutory funded organisation, we rely on client donations and community support to maintain our services.
Services
Adult counselling
Young people's support
Couples therapy
Short-term counselling
Open-ended sessions
Highlights and features
- 50+ years of experience providing community-based counselling services
- BACP-accredited with adherence to strict ethical frameworks
- Flexible session options: open-ended or structured 10-week programmes
- Experienced clinical team including specialist mental health professionals
- Income-adjusted pricing to ensure accessible mental health support
Associations and certifications
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
Services
Adult counselling
Professional one-to-one counselling for adults dealing with emotional and psychological challenges. Sessions help explore depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties in a confidential setting. Weekly 50-minute appointments available with experienced counsellors.
Young people's support
Specialised support for 16-18 year olds facing personal or emotional difficulties. Structured weekly sessions help develop coping strategies and explore personal challenges with trained counsellors at accessible rates.
Couples therapy
Guided sessions for couples experiencing relationship difficulties. Focuses on improving communication and understanding between partners through weekly hour-long sessions with specialist counsellors.
Short-term counselling
Time-limited counselling programmes designed for specific issues. Ten-week structured support helps address particular challenges with measurable progress tracking and goal setting.
Open-ended sessions
Flexible duration counselling allowing clients to progress at their own pace. Regular sessions continue until client and counsellor mutually agree treatment goals have been achieved.
People
Dorothy Harte
Head of Counselling
Experienced counsellor with extensive training in short-term therapy approaches. Oversees clinical operations and provides specialist counselling support to clients and trainees.
Lissa Morris
Service Manager
Manages day-to-day operations of the counselling service. Ensures quality standards and coordinates client referrals while maintaining organisational policies and procedures.
Dr. Paul Warren
Clinical Adviser
Consultant psychiatrist providing clinical guidance to counsellors. Specialises in psychodynamic approaches and offers expert supervision to the counselling team.
Anne Bothwell
Chair of Trustees
Leads governance and strategic direction of the charity. Ensures organisational compliance with regulatory requirements while supporting fundraising and community engagement initiatives.
Andrew Croom-Johnson
Treasurer
Financial steward responsible for budget management and funding strategies. Oversees financial sustainability while maintaining transparency in all monetary operations of the charity.
Questions
What counselling services do you offer?
We provide individual counselling for adults, youth counselling for 16-18 year olds, couples therapy, short-term (10-week) programmes, and open-ended sessions tailored to client needs.
How much do sessions cost?
Individual sessions cost £50, couples £60, with initial assessments at £60. We adjust fees according to financial circumstances, offering reduced rates down to £15 for young people.
Are your counsellors qualified?
All counsellors are either fully qualified or in advanced training with accredited institutions, receiving weekly clinical supervision to maintain professional standards.
How do I access counselling?
Contact us via phone or email to discuss your needs. We'll arrange an initial assessment session to determine the most appropriate support pathway for your situation.
Are sessions confidential?
Yes, all sessions maintain strict confidentiality within ethical guidelines, providing a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore personal challenges.
Do you offer emergency support?
We operate Monday-Thursday, 9am-7pm. While we don't provide crisis intervention, we can help develop coping strategies during scheduled sessions.
