Free/cheap/group counselling options?

[NotQuiteCockney]

A friend of mine was extremely badly treated as a child (horrible things said, lots of hitting, no overt sexual abuse). She hasn't got a lot of money and is skeptical about normal counselling (I think it would be best for her, but this stuff is tricky).

I'll point her at Saneline, but are there other good charity/group counselling options? She's in London.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oh, and is the NHS likely to be able to help?

[NotQuiteCockney]

Bumping for some ideas ...

[littlelamb]

I think her GP would be a good place to start. They will be able to give her the details of local counsellors who waive their fees for people referred to them. WHen I had bad antenatal depression there was a long wait for NHS counselling so I was given a list of about 5 or 6 places I could ring for an appointment, most of which were for a 'contribution' but would do it for free if you were in desperate need iyswim.

[wotulookinat]

I have found a place right near me (I'm in West Yorks) called the Well WOman Centre, who do fantastic counsellings, and they have details of all other sorts of groups and stuff going on.
They all seem to charitable or volunteer-run.
See if you can locate something in your area - local childrens centres are a good source of leaflets about this sort of thing, I have found. HTH.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Thanks, I've found some stuff online, but will ask whether she's ok with going to her GP about this ... there are big trust issues. Unsurprisingly.

[littlelamb]

NQC, ime she needn't go into everything with her GP iyswim. I find they can be a bit too rushed to actually sit down and listen. Would you be able to go to her appointment with her?

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oh. Um. Maybe, yeah. That might help.

I'll raise the GP option. I've ended up with a long list of options, actually, from a website.

[NotQuiteCockney]

Ok, more digging has ended up with recommendations of Mind, and a Salvation Army service. We have a local Christian counselling group, but its for our borough only, and my friend lives out of the borough. Just updating in case anyone else ends up looking for this.

[melll]

hi, what i would suggest is that your friend call a counsellor out of the phone book or so and simply ask if they have concessionary rates, or if they could recommend someone who is cheaper. because perhaps the counsellor has a friend or knows someone from their course who is good yet just not as qualified/experienced yet and so charges cheaper rates. or perhaps the counsellor knows of some community counselling type project where your friend could get help. perhaps you could call on her behalf? or as many posters have already mentioned, there's seeing the gp as they can refer for free counselling. but bear in mind this may only be for eg 6 sessions.