Emotions
Marriage care
This is a registered charity which operates throughout the UK with separate organisations for each area. It was formed to help couples prepare for marriage and to sustain their marriage. It can also be relied upon to support you when your relationship breaks down. Marriage Care supports people in the best and worst of times in their marriages and family relationships. With over fifty years experience, it has now developed a major strength in couple counselling.
Marriage Care in England and Wales
It has 66 centres and over 400 professionally trained counsellors who are all BACP approved. They also receive in-house training and provide their services free of charge. Terry Prendergast, its Chief Executive based at the Hammersmith HQ, says that although the organisation is Christian based, it is open to anyone who needs its services. The unique aspect here is that counselling is provided free but donations are requested.
What is their philosophy?
As mentioned, there is a Christian base to the philosophy and values of Marriage Care to which the counsellors adhere. The approach is holistic which means that it concentrates on the development of the whole person. Clients are therefore able to express and explore their feelings whether they are of an emotional, intellectual, sexual or spiritual nature.
How can I find a counsellor?
Contact details are given below and you can also search via their website at www.marriagecare.org.uk
You can search for your local office either by town or by post code.
Then ring up and book your first appointment; you can be sure of an understanding voice.
Is there a helpline?
If there is a delay and you need to speak to someone, you can phone their national helpline.
This is charged at the local rate and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Tel: 0845 660 6000 If you are in touch with them, please say you found them via Divorce Aid.
What are the helpline's aims?
It aims to provide a listening and information service for people facing difficulties in their marriage, families or close personal relationships. Its purpose is to give callers time and space to explore a range of relationship issues within the safe bounds of a confidential telephone conversation. The helpline is staffed by specially trained volunteers who receive ongoing support and regular supervision. They are certainly very professional and friendly. The service is offered on a non-judgmental basis to the whole community.
Marriage Care
1 Blythe Mews
Blythe Road
London W14 0NW
Tel 0845 660 6000
Thanks to you and your staff, Terry, for providing this caring service and many thanks for your ongoing support.
Scottish Marriage Care
Scottish Marriage Care provides relationship counselling to couples and individuals all over Scotland and is celebrating 40 years of supporting families with relationship counselling.
What do they provide?
They provide a specialist professional counselling service to the whole community, delivered in local centres throughout Scotland.
Who can use their services?
Scottish Marriage Care relationship counselling services are for those who are married, living together, living apart, divorced or separated. Their counselling services are offered without judgement or discrimination on any grounds - they will see you whatever your race, sexual orientation, religion, personal beliefs, or social background.
Where do they have offices?
They deliver marriage and relationship counselling for couples and individuals directly from sixteen locations throughout Scotland.
Do they provide courses?
Yes, they offer 'FOCCUS', 'REFOCCUS' and relationship skills courses across Scotland.
Contact them at:
72 Waterloo Street Glasgow G2 7DA
Phone: 0141 222 2166
Web: www.scottishmarriagecare.org
Ireland North and South
ACCORD - Catholic marriage service
They have fifty-seven centres throughout Ireland both North and South, more than 800 members trained to the highest standards who provide clients with a professional and ethical, educational and counselling service in a safe and non judgemental environment.
Their services are available to all.
ACCORD Central Office Columba Centre Maynooth Co Kildare
Phone: 01-5053112
Website: www.accord.ie
Reach out and find some help. You are not alone.
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