Local Counselling Services Rooted in the Heart of the South West
Community Counselling CIC is a not-for-profit mental health organisation providing professional, affordable therapy in the South West – with community-based services in both Wellington and Bridgwater. We exist to offer a safe and confidential space for people seeking support during challenging times.
Our Mission
We believe that everyone in the South West community should have access to the support they need to maintain and improve their mental well-being.
We work to:
- Make counselling accessible and affordable for all
- Empower people to understand and overcome emotional challenges
- Contribute positively to the mental health landscape in the South West
Our counselling service is built on the belief that talking helps and that healing begins with being seen and heard.
We offer a safe and welcoming space where clients can talk openly and honestly, at their own pace, with the consistent support of a trained, respectful therapist.
Whatever the emotional challenges that you or your loved ones are facing, our therapists in the South West work in partnership with you to explore your experiences and build resilience for the future.
All our counsellors are qualified to work to BACP ethical standards.
Why Local Support Matters
What makes us different
We understand the pressures people face in small towns and rural areas — where waiting lists can be long and access to services limited. That’s why we are committed to providing counselling in the South West that is timely, local, and grounded in the realities of our communities.
Our Vision
When you come to Community Counselling, you’re not just a client. You’re part of a wider movement for better, fairer, more compassionate mental health services in the South West.
How We Got Started
Community Counselling CIC was formed through the merger of two trusted services — Wellington Counselling and Bridgwater Counselling — with the shared goal of strengthening community mental health in the South West.
Where We Are Now
Together, we have supported over a thousand individuals through short and long-term therapy, adapting our services to meet changing needs across the region.
Community Counselling CIC offers compassionate, professional and affordable counselling
hours of counselling delivered
%
of clients said a free or affordable service helped them prioritise their mental health
%
would return to Community Counselling for future support
Community-focused
Since 2018 we have received 1300 referrals and delivered over 10,000 hours of counselling to people across the South West, with 96% saying our affordable service helped them prioritise their mental health. As a not-for-profit, we reinvest every penny into making expert, compassionate support accessible to all
Frequently Asked Questions
What is community counselling?
Part of our mission is to bring counselling into the life of every adult, every child and young person who needs it. Embedded in your community, we accept self-referrals and provide you and/or your child/ren with the therapeutic help they need, when they need it.
Some schools in Somerset and the surrounding area have joined forces with us to bring this service to the children they know need professional counselling support, play therapy or therapeutic family support. This collaboration means that the PFSAs, SENCOs or the pastoral lead might refer you to us, and/or that they may help contribute to the cost of that therapeutic support.
Community Counselling is also about creating self-employed opportunities for qualified counsellors and offering placements for trainee counsellors. We collaborate with regional colleges and universities to bring a high-quality placement experience to counselling students who want to give back to their local community.
What is counselling for?
All of us who work for Community Counselling CIC appreciate that life can be very tough, and also that things can happen out of the blue that can leave us in a wobbly place. Life is not as predictable as we may have thought, life happens in new and challenging ways, every day, whatever our age or circumstance. Our ability to cope can be affected by work and relationship difficulties, school life and things outside of our control.
A lot of what counselling and therapy is about is understanding the “human” part of human beings, and that means acknowledging and accepting our emotional selves, not trying to distance ourselves from our hearts. We help you make the connection, making you more aware, stronger and positive about the shape your life.
Counselling is focused on helping you to know yourself, and how to relate to others in healthy ways, and it can help you change your life for the better.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes, this is a confidential service, so what you share with your counsellor stays with them. Confidentiality is different for different age groups and challenges to confidentiality can come when there are concerns about your safety or that of someone you live with. Your counsellor will explain what confidentiality means when you meet them.
How much is counselling?
Standard counselling - £65.00 (£85.00 for couples) – 50 minutes.
Affordable counselling - £50.00 (£65.00 for couples) – 50 minutes.
Trainee counsellor (where appropriate) – individuals - £25.00 – 50 minutes.
I can’t afford counselling, can I still ask for help?
Counselling is a time and money investment in yourself or a family member.
Affordable counselling is available – we will ask you to make a weekly contribution to your therapy sessions based on an ‘honesty box’ conversation with our clinical lead during the assessment.
We have a scale of charges depending on individual circumstances, from the full amount of £65 per session to £15* per session, so please do not be put off asking for help because you cannot see your way to affording counselling.
We aim to provide as much subsidised and free* counselling as possible to the most vulnerable children, young people, adults and families in Wellington and the surrounding area.
*Our ability to offer free and subsidised counselling is based on having made successful grant applications for your area or circumstances.
How do I make a referral?
The referral process for counselling involves a few steps for you to take:
- You complete the online referral form*
- We contact you to arrange a free assessment.
- You are allocated a counsellor on the basis of the assessment process.
- Your counsellor will contact you to agree a time for your first session.
Where can I find the referral form?
You can find out referral form here.
If you need any support in completing the form, you can contact us on 01823 765144 and our staff will be happy to help.
How/when do I pay?
You will be expected to pay the agreed amount at the end of each therapy session, either in full or in part, depending on what was agreed when you were accepted for counselling. If you are offered free help after your assessment, you will not be asked to pay. Children’s and young people’s session payments will be invoiced to their parents or carers.
Your counsellor will offer you a card reader to take your payment.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
You will need to contact your counsellor directly giving them at least 24 hours’ notice, otherwise you will be charged the full cost of the session.
Can I refer someone else?
The referral form can be used by anyone who wants counselling help, or it can be filled in (with their consent) on someone else’s behalf.
How quickly can I see a counsellor?
We aim to place you with a counsellor within two weeks of completing the assessment process. During holiday periods some counsellors may be on leave and therefore the wait may be extended.
Get in touch. Get support.
Click the button below to go to our counselling referral form. For all other enquiries please click the contact us button.
