THT Launches New Online Counselling Service For The LGBT Community, UK

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 06 Nov 2009 - 1:00 PST

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Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has launched 'Connect Online Counselling' - a new online counselling service for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community nationwide. The service aims to give people the chance to explore difficulties or challenges in their lives, make sense of experiences and find solutions or coping mechanisms when faced with problems.

Sessions can be used to discuss anything from problems at home or work, to drug use or sexual risk taking. They take place over the internet using MSN, Skype or via the THT 'counselling room' on Gaydar.

Whether it's relationship problems or issues with your sex life, THT's low cost online counselling service is a convenient way of exploring personal issues from the comfort of your own home. Each session lasts for up to 50 minutes on a weekly basis at a pre-agreed time. The initial assessment and first two sessions are free, giving people the chance to see whether online counselling is right for them. After that, each session costs £30.

Christine Mead, Manager of THT's Wellbeing Services said: "Our online counselling service reaches out to people who might find it hard to access traditional face-to-face therapy. Using technology like instant messaging and Skyping provides a new option for people to get the support they need. Many people find that talking to someone about their lives can help them to make positive changes so if there's something you'd like to discuss please get in touch."

THT successfully piloted the online counselling service in partnership with Gaydar last year. The pilot was highly commended at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Awards this year.

Henry Badenhorst, founder of Gaydar, said; "For thousands of isolated individuals the Gaydar and THT partnership is an invaluable lifeline that allows them to chat freely and confidentially online. The relationship between Gaydar and THT also plays a part in raising awareness of important community issues."

THT has over 25 years experience of working with gay and bisexual men and its trained counsellors are sympathetic and non judgemental. If you feel you would benefit from 'Connect Online Counselling', please visit http://www.tht.org.uk/online-counselling where you can register for the service. This gives you the chance to tell us why you are considering online counselling and gives us the opportunity to work out whether online counselling could be beneficial for you.

Feedback from previous clients:

- 'I can't thank you enough for this service that was found quite by accident. As I work for myself and usually all week, the opportunities to go for conventional counselling are extremely limited.'

- 'This is an amazing service that was delivered in the most appropriate, professional way I could wish for. The counsellor was respectful, empathic and genuine.'

- 'It helped me realise I was quite negative about myself. The fact that I've improved on that is great. I don't know if I could have coped without taking this time out to look at what I was doing to myself to and to others. Thanks!'

Notes

- During the pilot of THT's online counselling service 505 online interactions took place between August 2008 - August 2009. 36% of which were scheduled 50 minute counselling sessions, 64% were unscheduled. Of the scheduled counselling sessions, 46% took place on Gaydar, 34% via MSN and 19% took place on Skype. More than half of the interactions were with people from outside London.

- The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the UK's largest professional body representing counsellors and psychotherapists.

Source
Terrence Higgins Trust