How it works

First Appointment

When you contact us you will be offered a first appointment with a counsellor. This appointment, which we call an 'Assessment Interview', lasts for about 50 minutes and its purpose is twofold. Firstly, it allows you to learn a little bit more about what Relate can offer you and secondly, it enables our counsellor to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing and decide with you whether Relate counselling would be an appropriate form of help. If we decide that we are not the right agency for you, we will always try to suggest a useful alternative.

In order to make an appointment you will be asked to fill out a Registration form pay a one-off Registration Fee of to help cover our costs in registering you as a new client and providing you with your first appointment. Probably the easiest way to make this payment is by credit/debit card over the phone, but if you prefer you can send a cheque or postal order to the Centre or even call into the office to pay us directly.

Ongoing Counselling

If you decide that you would like to go on to a course of counselling, you will be asked to join our Waiting List. If you are available to attend for an appointment at any time, and do not have any special requirements you will normally be seen quickly. If you have limited availability, or special requirements which mean that we need to refer you to an experienced or specially trained counsellor, then you may need to wait longer. Only our most experienced counsellors are able to see clients who have particularly complex needs, such as those who are struggling with mental health issues. Please follow this link for information about current Waiting Times.