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What is Counselling?

Counselling is a space where you can talk openly about what you’ve been through, at your own pace, in a way that feels safe for you.

If you have experienced abuse or trauma, it can be hard to put things into words. You might feel overwhelmed, confused, or unsure of how to move forward. Counselling gives you the time and support to explore your thoughts and feelings without pressure or judgement.

You are always in control of what you share. Nothing has to be rushed.

Your counsellor will listen carefully and respectfully. They won’t tell you what to do or push you in any direction. Instead, they will support you to understand your experiences, make sense of your feelings, and find ways of coping that feel right for you.

Together, you can begin to:

  • feel safer in your thoughts and body
  • understand how trauma has affected you
  • build self-trust and confidence
  • find ways to cope with difficult emotions
  • move towards a life that feels more stable and hopeful

What can counselling help with?

Counselling can support you if you are living with the impact of abuse or trauma, whether it happened recently or in the past.

At Quetzal, we support women who are recovering from childhood abuse and its lasting effects. You might come to counselling because:

  • You feel anxious, low, or emotionally overwhelmed
  • You struggle with self-esteem or self-worth
  • You are coping with depression, anxiety, eating difficulties, addiction, or personality-related challenges
  • You are dealing with the impact of a physical health condition
  • You have experienced a difficult life event, such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, or further abuse
  • You feel unable to talk to people close to you and want a safe, confidential space
  • You are having distressing thoughts or feelings and don’t know how to manage them

You don’t need to have the “right words” or a clear reason to come. If something doesn’t feel right, that is enough.

There are different types of counselling available. At Quetzal, the type of counselling used is called integrative counselling. Integrative counselling is a combined approach that brings together different elements of specific therapies. Our counsellors take the view that there is no single approach that can treat each client in all situations. Hence, we try to make the counselling process tailored to individual needs.

We offer our counselling in a variety of formats, including:

In Person

Online via Zoom or Teams

Telephone

Where do we operate?

We’re based in Leicester, and most of our sessions, activities, and events take place at:
Quetzal (39)
Business Box
3 Oswin Road
Braunstone
Leicester
LE3 1HR

In addition to our Leicester base, we have recently expanded to offer in-person services in Lutterworth and Melton. If you’re a female survivor of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in the Lutterworth or Melton area, just refer yourself as usual. Once your referral is received, we will get in touch with you to make the necessary arrangements for in-person support in Lutterworth.

Professional standards and your safety

We follow the ethical framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), which sets standards for safe, ethical counselling practice in the UK.

The BACP is a recognised professional body that works to protect the public and ensure counsellors meet high standards of training, professionalism and accountability.

This means your counsellor:

  • works within clear ethical guidelines
  • offers a safe, confidential space
  • receives ongoing supervision and professional support
  • is accountable for their practice

Counselling, as described by the BACP, is a space where you can talk to a trained professional who helps you explore your thoughts and feelings and find your own way forward, rather than being told what to do.

Want to learn more?

You can find more information about counselling and what to expect here:

These pages explain how counselling works, what your rights are as a client, and the standards counsellors are expected to meet.