Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: What is Relate BFG? |
| A: Relate BFG has been promoting healthy relationships for over 30 years and offers a free, confidential counselling service which specifically focuses on relationships for all those attached to the British Forces within BFG. We will not give your name or any information about you to anyone outside the organisation unless there is an exceptional circumstance, for example if someone, especially a child, is at risk of serious harm.
Whether you are currently in a relationship (including same sex) or not, Relate BFG is here to help. |
Q: What is counselling? |
| A: A counselling session allows you time to think through an issue or work through a problem. The Counsellor is trained to help people understand themselves better, relate better to others, work things out for themselves and make decisions about what to do next. Your Counsellor will help you talk openly and honestly.
Counselling and sex therapy always work at your pace, not to a timetable. |
Q: What will happen when I come for counselling? |
| A: At your first session a Counsellor will talk with you for up to one hour. Some people find this session is all they need to clear their thinking and help them decide what to do and no further counselling is necessary. You and your Counsellor will talk through how Relate might be able to help and, if appropriate, your Counsellor will recommend a Relate service. If your Counsellor doesn’t think Relate is best placed to help, they may suggest another organisation. |
Q: Should I do anything before my first session? |
| A: You might find it useful to think about how you want counselling to help e.g. are you looking to feel better about something in the past or do you want to make a change in your life now?
You might be coming to counselling with your partner or alone. Whether they have a partner or not, people often come for counselling or sex therapy alone and find it helpful. |
Q: How often will I have appointments? |
| A: Sessions are usually once a week for up to an hour. Counselling will continue for as long as you and the Counsellor think it helpful. The number of sessions depends on you but most people find six or seven sessions is about right for counselling; those coming for sex therapy can expect to attend for longer |
Q: Do Relate Counsellors have special training? |
A: Relate Counsellors have all received special training in couple counselling.
It takes two to three years to become a fully qualified Relate Counsellor. They may then undergo further training to specialise in areas such as family counselling and sex therapy.
All Counsellors continue with ongoing training and consultation with other professionals to ensure they give you the highest standard of counselling. |
Q: What is sex therapy? |
| A: In sex therapy a therapist discusses the problems you have identified. If therapy is advised, the therapist will design a programme of exercises especially for you and you will be asked to do specific exercises privately at home. At your sessions, the therapist will discuss your progress with the exercises and the best next steps for you. You will never be asked to undertake any sexual tasks during the therapy sessions.
For further information, please ask for our leaflet on sex therapy. |
Q: Is what we say confidential? |
| A: Counselling is a private and confidential form of help. Relate holds information about its clients and their counselling in confidence.
We will not give your name or any information about you to anyone outside the organization unless there is an exceptional circumstance, for example if someone, especially a child, is at risk of serious harm. In such a situation, Relate would try to involve you in making a decision about any action to be taken. |
Q: Can we see the notes made about us? |
| A: Your Counsellor writes brief notes from the sessions you attend which are confidential to Relate.
Your details and records at Relate are kept and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. If there is a reason you want to see your notes, speak to your Counsellor or the Relate BFG office. |
Q: What if I have a complaint? |
| A: Relate has a complaints procedure which aims to make the process straightforward and fair. Should you wish to make a complaint, please contact the Relate BFG office or speak to your Counsellor. |
HOW TO CONTACT US
If you feel your relationship is at risk or there are issues you cannot deal with, you don’t have to face it alone.
Call us on the following numbers:
JHQ Military (72) 2826
Civil 02161 4722826
Office hours are 9am - 5pm, after which an answer-phone will pick up your message. |
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