Session 1
Getting to know each other
Meet your counsellor, talk about what has brought you to counselling and agree what you would like support with.
LilyAnne’s Counselling
Confidential, person-centred mental health counselling for adults aged 18+ in Hartlepool, including autistic people and people with ADHD experiencing anxiety, low mood, loneliness, stress, overwhelm or life challenges.
A space to be heard
Counselling gives you time and space to talk openly with a trained counsellor in a confidential and supportive environment.
It is not about being told what to do. It is about being listened to, understood and supported to explore your experiences, feelings and circumstances.
Your counselling journey
We usually offer a planned course of six one-hour counselling sessions. Your counsellor will work at your pace, so the focus may change according to your needs.
Session 1
Meet your counsellor, talk about what has brought you to counselling and agree what you would like support with.
Session 2
Begin exploring your experiences, feelings, priorities and the changes you would like to work towards.
Session 3
Consider thoughts, emotions, relationships or situations that may be affecting your wellbeing.
Session 4
Develop understanding and consider approaches that may help you manage challenges in everyday life.
Session 5
Reflect on what has changed, what still feels difficult and what support may be helpful after counselling.
Session 6
Review your counselling journey, recognise your progress and agree a clear plan for your next step.
Six sessions is our usual offer. Following a review, we may provide up to a maximum of eight sessions when this is appropriate and likely to be helpful. If counselling is not providing the hoped-for benefit, we will talk with you about whether another kind of support may suit you better.
After your counselling sessions, we may be able to introduce you to our listening team. Listening support is available once a week for between six and twelve months, subject to suitability and availability.
LilyAnne’s provides these counselling sessions free of charge. Some private neurodiversity-informed providers charge up to £150 for a one-hour session. If you are able to contribute, a donation helps our charity continue providing free support to people in our community.
Meet our counsellors
Our counsellors offer compassionate, confidential and person-centred support shaped around each client’s individual needs.
Counsellor
Accredited counsellor offering mental health and neurodiversity-informed support.
Therapist
Providing compassionate counselling and community-based emotional wellbeing support.
Psychology Therapist
Psychologist and counsellor supporting mental health, trauma and neurodiversity.
How counselling can help
People seek counselling for many different reasons. Select a linked topic to read the relevant LilyAnne’s guide, or contact us if you are unsure whether counselling may be suitable for you.
Feeling worried, nervous, overwhelmed or unable to switch off.
Feeling flat, hopeless, disconnected or finding it difficult to cope.
Daily pressure, work, family life or caring responsibilities affecting your wellbeing.
Feeling isolated, disconnected or without someone safe to talk to.
A supportive space to explore difficult experiences and how they continue to affect you.
Exploring self-doubt, low confidence and negative feelings about yourself.
Support when coping with grief, loss or significant changes in your life.
Exploring difficulties within relationships, family life or communication with others.
Understanding strong emotions, what may trigger them and healthier ways to respond.
Support through major changes, difficult decisions, transitions or uncertain circumstances.
Appropriate and safe support
These suitability guidelines help us make sure counselling is safe, appropriate and matched to each person’s needs and circumstances.
Counselling may be suitable for people who:
When specialist support is needed
Our counselling service cannot accept anyone who is:
Where appropriate, people outside the service criteria will be signposted to organisations better placed to provide specialist support.
Support built around you
Our counselling is person-centred, confidential, compassionate and neurodiversity-informed. Every person is treated with dignity, respect and without judgement.
Your next step
You can refer yourself directly to LilyAnne’s or ask another organisation or professional to make a referral on your behalf.
Complete our secure online form and provide information about the support you are looking for.
Our team reviews the information to understand your needs and whether our service may be suitable.
A team member will discuss your referral, answer questions and explain the next steps.
Call 01429 728040 or speak to our reception team, who can support you to complete a referral.
Complete a referral online or call our team if you need help with the process.
