• people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs.
• anyone who is affected by Cancer in any way.
• anyone who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of a friend or relative.
• anyone who is facing terminal illness or caring for someone with a terminal illness.
• anyone who is suffering undue stress that reduces their capacity to cope with their illness or the illness of a friend or relative.
• anyone who believes that it will make a difference to his or her life.

• Sometimes offloading feelings makes day to day living easier.
• Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone outside our own circle of family and friends.
• Sometimes it is helpful to look at why experiences in the past make us behave the way we do today. This can empower us to make better choices in our relationships.
• Sometimes it helps to not have to go through things on your own.
• Sometimes it helps to share memories - good & bad - with someone who is able to listen.

WHAT WILL THE COUNSELLOR DO?
There are as many different ways of counselling as there are counsellors! No two counsellors will work in the same way. However all counsellors are committed to building a relationship with you, the client and will work hard to encourage you to feel safe. This should be a relationship that is characterised by respect, honesty, warmth and understanding. The counsellor will listen carefully to what you have to say. They may offer reflections but will not normally give advice and should never make you feel judged.

HOW MANY SESSIONS CAN I HAVE?
It is up to you to decide how many sessions you need. You are the best judge of how many sessions you will need. Your counsellor may suggest that you review the counselling every couple of months and he or she will want to work in a focused way so as not to waste your time.

WHAT WILL IT COST?
There is no charge for using the counselling service. The Counselling Co-ordinator is paid via Trinity Palliative Care Services and the other counsellors give their time on a voluntary basis. The other services provided by Trinity Palliative Care Services do rely on public donations and you are of course welcome to make a donation to this work, should you wish to and your counsellor will explain how this can be done.

WHERE WOULD I HAVE MY COUNSELLING?
At the Linden Centre we have a specially designated counselling room. If you have special difficulty coming to the Linden Centre it may be possible to arrange an alternative venue. Any other location would have to provide the same degree of safety and confidentiality.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I CANNOT ATTEND OR I FORGET TO COME FOR MY SESSION?
We would appreciate it if you could give us as much notice as possible so that we can try and arrange an alternative appointment. If you forget to attend we will contact you either by letter or phone. Your counsellor will ask you at the beginning how you would wish us to make contact should we need to. We would never leave messages without your express permission.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I MEET THE COUNSELLOR IN A SOCIAL SITUATION?
You can decide with your counsellor how you would like them to respond were you to meet them elsewhere. Your counsellor would not be looking to have friendship outside of the counselling relationship, as this is considered important for your well being.

WHAT IF THE COUNSELLOR CANNOT HELP ME?
The counsellor would prefer to be alongside you whilst you find your own solutions rather than tell you what to do. If he or she is not the best person to do that, or if you don't feel comfortable with your counsellor then he or she will help you find someone else who can help in a different way. We will work hard as a service to ensure that the counselling is as supportive as it can be. If you feel that the counselling is making you feel uncomfortable in anyway we would like you to feel able to talk it through either with your counsellor, the Counselling Co-ordinator or another member of the Palliative Care Team. Or you could put your concerns in writing. If any of your questions remain unanswered please do not hesitate to contact the Counselling Co-ordinator or the Information Officer at the Linden Centre.

DURING THE FIRST SESSION YOUR COUNSELLOR WILL:
Tell you about their training, experience and the way they like to work. ? Tell you about the level of confidentiality offered. ? Explain that they are working to a code of ethics and practice that you may see if you wish. ? Discuss your hopes and expectations of the counselling.