Counselling for carers
We know that caring for a person living with motor neuron disease (MND) can be extremely hard and have a significant impact on your mental health and wellbeing.
To help you, we offer a free Counselling Service that gives carers the opportunity to access up to 12 one-to-one counselling sessions with a qualified therapist.
Apply to use our free Counselling Service
Right now, you may have worries and pressures you’re struggling to cope with and feel stressed and anxious. You may also be experiencing difficult issues, such as changes to the health of the person you’re caring for or the anticipation of losing a loved one.
Talking to someone outside your family or circle of friends may help you better understand your feelings and manage your difficult circumstances.
Our free Counselling Service is available to you if you’re aged over
18, live in Scotland and:
Provide unpaid care to a person living with motor neuron disease
or
Are an immediate family member of someone living with MND, e.g. spouse, partner, son, daughter, parent
Is the person you’re caring for struggling emotionally? If you feel it’s appropriate, please tell them about our free specialist counselling for people living with MND.
How our counselling could help you
Our Counselling Service could help you manage your situation by:
Allowing you to speak openly about the demands of your caring role
Making you feel better equipped to look after the person you care for
Providing personalised support that’s tailored to your circumstances
Increasing your confidence and motivation
Reducing the sense of fear, anxiety or depression you may be feeling
Giving you new ways to think and manage difficult feelings
“Counselling really helped me to come to terms with my husband’s diagnosis. It was an outlet to share my fears and anxieties with someone outside my own family, and it helped me deal with these head on.”
Vivian Laycock
How to access our Counselling Service
Please note: We are currently reviewing our Counselling Service, which means we may only be able to offer you remote counselling over the phone or online, rather than face-to-face sessions with a counsellor.
Need urgent help?
If you need to speak to someone right now about difficult emotions you’re experiencing, you can reach out to:
Samaritans
on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.orgBreathing Space
on 0800 83 85 87 or visit breathingspace.scotMessage ‘SHOUT’
to 85258 for 24/7 text supportWhat happens after you’re referred
If you’re referred to our Counselling Service, we’ll contact you to
identify your needs and make sure you're suitable for the service.
If you are suitable, you’ll be able to access up to 12 free one-to-one
counselling sessions. Each session usually lasts up to one hour and
takes place once a week. But we can be flexible to meet your needs
and availability.
Support Services Referral
Other ways we can support you
Accessible holidays
Specialist holiday homes in stunning Scottish locations. Fully equipped to meet your needs.
Counselling for carers
Caring for a person living with motor neuron disease can be extremely hard, we’re here to help.
Advocacy
Our advocacy team are ready to listen to your concerns and help solve any issues you’re facing.
Benefits advice
Our free benefits service can help you claim financial support you’re entitled to.
Grants for you
We offer a wide range of grants to help you live a good life and ease money worries.
Free counselling
We offer tailored counselling sessions to people living with MND and carers.
Support for carers
If you care for someone living with MND, we are here to support you too. Find out more about our free wellbeing, practical and financial services.
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