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Counselling Service

Our Counsellor provides psychological and therapeutic support enabling guests to help deal with the pain of the past and overcome mental health issues over the long term.

Accessing this service

This service is by appointment only.
Current guests (users) of the Gatehouse services can be referred to this service by contacting Kat on katrina@oxfordgatehouse.org or send us a message using the contact form below.
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    During 2024
    20
    of our guests benefitted from participating in a total of over
    300
    sessions with our Counsellor with the vast majority reporting a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing as a result.

    How this service helps our guests

    The confidential Counselling Service is delivered by a fully BACP registered Counsellor operates for four hours a week and can be either face to face, online or over the phone as this flexibility allows both privacy and equal access for all.

    There is a high prevalence of a history of trauma in the homeless population, 77% for men and 85% for women (Goodman, Saxe, & Harvey 1991; Roos et al., 2013).

    The aims of this service are:

    • To support individuals to navigate historical and current trauma with a professional counsellor, in a safe and managed way.
    • To support individuals wellbeing and emotional needs.
    • To bridge a gap between individuals and primary and secondary mental health services where needed.
    • To reduce potential barriers to individuals accessing and sustaining affordable housing by giving them a space to talk confidentially, develop new coping strategies and self-advocate.
    • To reduce the stigma and misinformation attached to the homeless and vulnerably housed community accessing psychological support.

    This service area is a partnership approach between the Gatehouse and St Giles Church, and it is part funded by the Oxford Diocese.

    Guest testimonials

    "I'm finding the sessions helpful to offload."
    "Not like other therapy I've received."
    "It puts things into place."
    "This place has done more for me in the last 10 years than any help I've had in the previous years before that. They've helped me address certain things about my mental health. I saw a therapist counsellor here, which is something that you don't get anywhere else. This place is amazing. I cannot overrate this place enough."