Inner City Bristol Free Counselling and Family Therapy Service

Who Is the Service For?

We see parents, couples and families with children under 11.  Sometimes being a parent (or carer) is hard, and as a parent you may have worries you long to talk about.  The worries may be about a baby, child or difficulties in the family. Maybe you are concerned about your relationship with your partner, or how you feel in yourself.

You may want to come to talk to someone on your own or together with your partner / grandparents / children / baby.  When you first speak with us on the phone, you can discuss who will come to a first appointment

We see refugee and asylum seeking families and use an interpreter when needed.

This service is for families living in Easton, Redfield, Barton Hill, Old Market, St Pauls, Montpelier, and St Werburghs.

What we offer

The help we offer involves talking and thinking about the difficulties which caused you to come for help.  We don’t just talk about the problem you are coming with.  We aim to understand how the problem may have started.  We try to help parents and families look for new ways of getting on with and talking to each other.  We try to help people recognise patterns of behaviour.  We might look for things which have happened in the past, which might still give rise to a lot of feelings.  This in turn helps in understanding the problem.  Thinking about these things may be a bit unsettling, but most people feel that it is helpful.

Where are the sessions held?

Currently we offer counselling and family therapy in Cotham, Easton, Lawrence Hill and Barton Hill.

What can I expect from my first appointment?

We can offer you or your family initially up to two 50 minute appointments, to explore your concerns and your situation.  If you and your therapist feel that it would be helpful, then a limited number of further sessions can be offered.

How do I make an appointment?

Any member of the family can contact The Bridge Foundation.  You can telephone us on 0117 9424510.  Please leave your name and number, and the person co-ordinating the work will ring you back (usually within 10 days) and discuss the situation.

Free Service

The Bridge Foundation raises funds from a variety of sources, including charitable trusts, to provide this service.

Code of Conduct

Staff in all services adhere to the Bridge Foundation’s policies and procedures, including a code on confidentiality, child protection and equal opportunities.

Who will I see?

All counsellors and psychotherapists at The Bridge Foundation are qualified and experienced professionals. All receive regular supervision and work to a professional code of ethics such as British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy; British Psychoanalytic Council, United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Confidentiality

The Bridge Foundation provides a confidential setting. No information will be disclosed to anyone outside the agency without your permission except in certain rare situations where there is serious concern about the safety of someone, although wherever possible this will be discussed with you first.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to providing high quality services and continue to strive to offer accessible services to everyone regardless of race, class, culture, physical ability, religious belief or sexual orientation.

We have wheelchair access at many or our bases and will do what we can to make our service accessible to anyone with a disability. Requirements can be discussed with the administrator.

Concerns and Complaints  

Most people are satisfied with our services but if you have any concerns please speak with your therapist in the first instance.  If the matter is still unresolved you can write to the Director at the address on the contact us page. A copy of the Complaints procedure is available on request.