Counselling

BCWA’s Counselling service

BCWA Counselling Service (for clients)

BCWA offers a counselling service exclusively for women who are already accessing our refuge or domestic abuse support services.

Counselling provides a safe, confidential space where you can be heard, understood, and supported without judgment. It’s an opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace. Through this process, you can begin to make sense of the impact of abuse and trauma, build emotional resilience, and reconnect with your sense of self.

We offer up to 12 counselling sessions, each lasting 50 minutes. Sessions are primarily delivered in person, with online options available in exceptional circumstances.

Most sessions are delivered by trainee counsellors (in the final stages of their studies), working under the supervision of qualified professionals.

Please note: At present, BCWA’s counselling service is only available to women who are already accessing our refuge or domestic abuse support services. We are not accepting referrals from external agencies or members of the public.

Counselling Placements at BCWA

BCWA offers counselling placements for trainee counsellors seeking practical experience within a specialist domestic abuse service.

Our counselling service provides clients with a space for emotional recovery and empowerment. As a placement counsellor, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women affected by abuse and trauma.

Domestic abuse can have a lasting impact on a person’s emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. Trauma may show up in many ways, including anxiety, dissociation, difficulty trusting others, low self-esteem, emotional numbness, or complex grief. Counsellors at BCWA work with clients who may be navigating these experiences at different stages of recovery. A sensitive, patient, and non-judgmental approach is essential.

All trainee counsellors are supported through regular group clinical supervision and ongoing guidance from our Counselling Services Manager. We are committed to ensuring that your placement is grounded in ethical, professional, and trauma-informed practice.

We welcome applications from trainee counsellors who are:

• Enrolled in a Level 4 (or above) counselling course and currently in at least the second year of training
• Have completed a minimum of 40 client hours
• Hold individual student membership with a recognised professional body (e.g. BACP, UKCP)
• Have experience of one to one counselling
• Demonstrate an understanding of trauma and culturally informed practice
• Have some knowledge or experience of the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and domestic abuse sector (desirable)
• Able to commit to a minimum of one year
• Attend a one-day induction and training session prior to starting
• A DBS enhanced disclosure will be required

Placements with BCWA offer valuable, experience within a supportive, specialist charity committed to empowering women and promoting recovery through safe, ethical, and compassionate counselling.

Please note: this service is only available to existing BCWA clients.

If you are a Trainee Counsellor looking for a volunteer counsellor placement, email counselling@bcwa.org.uk.