Do I pay for counselling or any support I receive?

No, any support you receive is free of charge. However, voluntary donations are very much welcomed and can really help us to continue to provide the service we do. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so online by clicking here.

How do I make a referral?

You can self-refer by calling 01244 853193 or contact a Health Care Professional, like your GP who can refer on your behalf.

Where are the sessions based?

Counselling sessions take place in the Coach House building located at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford, near Chester or remotely via Zoom or telephone.

How long is each counselling session?

The sessions are 50 minutes long.

Do I have the same counsellor each week?

Yes, you will be allocated a counsellor who will see you at the same time, on the same day each week.

How many counselling sessions will I have?

Your counsellor will work with you until you reach a natural end in your therapy.

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is ample parking and it is free.

Can I refer my friend?

Yes, friends and family can refer to the service on behalf of someone else.

I live out of West Cheshire; can I access your counselling support or bereavement support’? 

If a loved one has died at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, then yes you can refer to the Adult counselling service.  If, however you live out of the West Cheshire area and are not registered to a GP practice within that area, then unfortunately we are unable to provide the counselling support to you.  You can however visit our Bereavement, Information and Resource section and access the Support Directory which can signpost you to other organisations for support.

I live out of the West Cheshire area; can I access the Bereavement Help Points?

Yes, our Bereavement Help Points are accessible to all, regardless of the area you live in.  Visit our Bereavement Help Point section to find out how to register or click here to see the locations of our Help Points. If you would like to join our Online Help Points, please email Bereavement@hospicegs.com to register.

Do I need a referral to access the Bereavement Help Points?

No you do not need a referral to attend any of our Help Points. You can attend as many as you like, as often as you like, and stay as long as you like.