Counselling for Carers
Caring for someone else often means putting your own needs last. At The Borders Carers Centre, our free counselling service offers you a judgement-free space to talk openly, find support, and focus on your wellbeing.
As an unpaid carer, you play a vital role in supporting the person you care for. Over time you may have found you are putting your own needs aside in favour of the cared for. At the Borders Carers Centre, we believe it is important to remember that taking care of yourself is equally essential.
It is not uncommon for carers to find several uncomfortable feelings have built up, often around loss, guilt and change. It can be difficult to talk to friends and family, and many carers find it helpful to speak to someone separate from their own lives about how they truly feel without fear of judgement. Counselling can be a valuable resource for unpaid carers like yourself, offering support, guidance, and a safe space to explore your feelings and experiences.
A Guide to Our Counselling Support
Counselling is a collaborative process between you and a trained professional who is dedicated to helping you navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or unsure about how to cope with the demands of caring, a counsellor can provide a listening ear and practical strategies to help you manage your responsibilities while prioritising your own well-being.
Emotional Support: Caring can be emotionally taxing, leading to feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression. Counselling offers a supportive environment where you can express your emotions freely and receive validation and empathy from someone who understands your experiences.
Coping Strategies: A counsellor can help you develop effective coping strategies to manage the unique challenges of caring. Whether it’s setting boundaries, practising self-care, or improving communication with your loved one, counselling equips you with the tools you need to navigate difficult situations with resilience and grace.
Stress Reduction: Chronic stress is common among unpaid carers and can take a toll on both your physical and mental health. Counselling can teach you relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and stress management skills to help alleviate tension and promote a greater sense of calm and well-being.
Self-Exploration: Caring often involves juggling multiple roles and responsibilities, which can leave little time for self-reflection. Counselling provides a space for self-exploration and personal growth, allowing you to reconnect with your own needs, values, and aspirations outside of your caregiving role.
Connection and Validation: It’s easy to feel isolated and misunderstood as an unpaid carer, but counselling offers a sense of connection and validation. By sharing your experiences with a counsellor, you realise that you’re not alone in your struggles and that seeking help is a courageous and empowering act.
Through the centre you can access up to 8 sessions of counselling which can take place in person at the Centre in Galashiels or from the comfort of your own home by accessing sessions over the telephone or online. If you decide you would like to go ahead, let your Carer Liaison Worker know and they will refer you on to our therapist who will get in touch with you to arrange an initial appointment.
Shona Dickey is a BABCP accredited psychotherapist and counsellor and has been at the Borders Carers Centre providing therapy to unpaid carers since 2019
While her core training is in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) she also integrates approaches from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), tailoring her methods to meet the unique needs of the carer in addition to supervising trainee CBT therapists
Get in Touch
Contact us today to discover the support and resources available at Borders Carers Centre.
