COMMUNITY COUNSELLING SERVICE
Free counselling for
Isle of Wight residents
Because access to emotional and psychological support should not be determined by someone's ability to pay.
At Preziosa Therapia, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, understood and supported, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Our Community Counselling Service has been developed to help remove the financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing counselling, offering free, confidential, person-centred counselling to residents of the Isle of Wight.
Funded by Preziosa Therapia, alongside the generosity of socially responsible corporate sponsors, we have made a commitment to provide at least 1,000 hours of free counselling to our Island community.
How does the service work?
Our Community Counselling Service offers individuals a structured programme of up to 10 free appointments, comprising an initial assessment followed by nine counselling sessions.
Sessions are delivered by trainee counsellors who are undertaking recognised professional counselling qualifications and gaining supervised clinical experience.
All trainee counsellors are carefully selected through our recruitment process and are required to hold appropriate insurance, enhanced DBS clearance and external clinical supervision. They work within the professional and ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), supported by Preziosa Therapia's placement management and safeguarding procedures.
Although our counsellors are in training, the emotional experiences and challenges people bring to counselling are treated with the same respect, care and confidentiality as those of any other counselling client.
What can counselling help with?
People seek counselling for many different reasons. You do not need a diagnosis, a referral from your GP or to be experiencing a crisis to benefit from having someone to talk to.
You might be experiencing anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, changes in your circumstances, challenges with self-esteem or simply feeling overwhelmed by life.
Our approach is person-centred, meaning you are at the heart of the therapeutic relationship. We do not assume that we know what is best for you or that there is one particular way you should think, feel or respond.
Instead, we offer a confidential, compassionate and non-judgemental space in which you can explore your experiences at your own pace.
How can I access counselling?
We recognise that people's circumstances, preferences and accessibility needs differ. For this reason, we aim to offer counselling through three methods:
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Face-to-face: In our welcoming therapeutic space on the Isle of Wight.
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Online: Allowing you to attend from a suitable private space.
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Telephone: Providing an alternative for those who prefer not to attend in person or use video.
The availability of each option will depend on individual suitability and counsellor availability.
What happens when I apply?
Our Community Counselling Service uses an initial referral and assessment process to help ensure that the support we offer is appropriate for each individual.
Once your self-referral has been received, our team will review the information provided and consider whether our service is suitable for your needs.
Where appropriate, you will be allocated a trainee counsellor who will arrange your initial assessment appointment.
This first appointment provides an opportunity to explore what has brought you to counselling, discuss what you hope to gain and consider whether working together feels appropriate.
Where our service is not suitable for your circumstances, we will aim to provide information about alternative sources of support. Submitting a referral does not automatically guarantee a counselling place, as availability and suitability must be considered.
Supporting our community in more ways than one
Our Community Counselling Service has been developed with two important aims.
Firstly, to increase access to free, meaningful therapeutic support for Isle of Wight residents who might otherwise struggle to access counselling. Secondly, to provide a supportive, ethically managed placement environment in which the next generation of counsellors can develop their professional skills, confidence and experience.
By bringing these two aims together, we hope to create a sustainable community resource that benefits individuals, developing practitioners and the wider Island.
Made possible through community investment
This service is not funded by the NHS. It has been created through the commitment and investment of Preziosa Therapia, with additional financial support from local corporate sponsors who share our belief in the importance of accessible mental health support. Their contributions help us provide counselling without charging the people who access it.
Every hour of counselling represents an investment in the wellbeing of someone within our community.
Self Referral Process
Please complete a self-referral form, via the button below. This process enables individuals to formally apply for counselling with our service. At Preziosa Therapia, we believe that meaningful change begins when people are given the space, opportunity and support to explore their own experiences.
Empowering Growth. Supporting Our Island.