What will the service cost?
You and your counsellor will have a confidential discussion at your first appointment about contributions to
the cost of sessions and agree what will suit your situation. Our policy includes providing sessions free of charge
or by a contribution at a level to suit individual circumstances.
If I can contribute to the cost of my sessions, will I get an appointment more quickly?
No. NEECS was developed to provide access to counselling for people in the locality whose income may
not allow them to make the choice of using other counselling services. Sessions free of charge are provided
according to need and there is no fixed "quota" for these.
How long will I have to wait?
Waiting times for the Short Term Service are calculated regularly and
you will be told the average current waiting time, which is usually around 6 - 8 weeks. For
up to date information on waiting times, click on "Waiting List Status"
For the Core Service we are not able to give accurate waiting times due to the varying length of
time people attend.
Are there evening appointments?
Yes - and if this is essential for you, it will be noted when you refer.
There is likely to be an additional wait involved, depending on the number of clients requiring particular times.
Are there appointments during school/nursery hours?
Yes. (As above).
Do I have a choice about the counsellor I see?
If you have a preference about the gender of your counsellor, let us know when you refer and your choice will be
allocated.
If, after your first appointment, you would like to see a different counsellor, you can request this and do not have
to give a reason, although any feedback you may wish to give is welcomed. We will do our best to offer you an alternative
as soon as one is available.
With the resources the service has, it is not practical for us to offer you a choice between particular counselling
approaches (eg. person-centred, gestalt, psychodynamic etc.). If you are looking for greater choice, information
on finding private counselling can be found on the Links page.
Can I put my partner's name down for counselling?
You cannot put their name down as everyone who wishes to use the service needs to refer themselves. If your
partner does refer himself/herself, they will see a different counsellor from you.
Can couples be seen together?
Couple counselling is not currently available. Information on finding this is on the Links page.
Can I use the core service after I have had short term counselling?
Provided that the waiting list for the core service is open, we can put you on it once you have completed your short
term sessions.
Can I come back to the Short Term Service after completing my sessions?
You can re-refer yourself after a period of six months or anytime after that.
If I come back to use the service, can I see the same counsellor?
If you are going to use the core service after having attended the short term service, it is usually necessary to
see a different counsellor. If you are returning to the same service as the one you previously used, it is usually possible
to see the same counsellor.
Is there a creche?
At present we unfortunately do not have sufficient resources or space to provide this. However, we can discuss
suitable appointment times which may suit you; for example, during school or nursery hours.
Does the service have disabled access?
There are five steps up from the pavement on Leith Walk to the door.
Once inside, all facilities are on one level. If you are unable to physically access the premises, we will
do our best to arrange for you to see a NEECS counsellor in an alternative location and/or give you information on an alternative
fully accessible service. Service information is also available in large print.
I don't live in North East Edinburgh, are there other services?
Click on "Links" for further information, including specialist services and finding counsellors working in private
practice.
