About Western Counselling

Situated in the seaside town of Weston super Mare, Western Counselling was established in 1984 exclusively to treat addictive disorders.  Using the traditional 12 Step methodology it is internationally renowned for its structured, abstinence based programmes of care.

Registered with CSCI (Commission for Social Care Inspectorate) for male and female clients aged 17-64yrs, Western Counselling is an active member of EATA (European Association for the Treatment of Addiction) and we are working towards accreditation with them, in addition to being externally audited and found to be compliant with QuADS (Quality in Alcohol and Drugs Services) and IiP (Investors in People) accredited.  Currently we are also looking at accreditation with the local CSDAT/new North Somerset scheme.  The quality of service provided is important and we aim to keep a high standard to comply with all national requirements and guidelines

Our staff

The care staff team consists of eight counsellors, all of whom have a relationship with addiction, either personally or through a family member or friend, some have even been clients with Western Counselling in the past.  Many other members of staff also have this personal history with addiction. Counsellors all have a Diploma in Counselling or as Trainees are working towards it.

Support Workers are on duty daily between 8.30am and 10.30pm, and the seven member team work to support the clients and the counselling team, providing escort as necessary and aiding all aspects of the service.  Many of these also are working towards counselling qualifications and partake in delivering workshops and educational lectures with the counselling team.

A catering team of Cooks and Housekeepers are employed in each property to provide all meals and keep the houses clean and tidy.  All dietary needs can be met whether for religious, cultural reasons, medical conditions and/or personal preferences can be taken into account.   

The treatment we provide

Treatment at Western Counselling  is split into Primary and Secondary care:

Primary care is the initial period and lasts for 12 weeks. Medicated withdrawal is provided within this stage.  Clients live in one of two properties, Meijer and St Davids.  Meijer has 9 dedicated female beds and eleven male beds; St Davids has twelve male beds. During this stage of treatment focus is on the addiction and its impact on everyone.  Clients look at the reality of their situation and past, take responsibility for what has happened, thereby enabling them to move on in to the future with a positive attitude.  Clients attend 2-3 Group therapy sessions per day in addition to workshops and lectures and one to one counselling.

Secondary care has three properties, Kintyre has 9 female beds, Larkhill ten male beds and Clarence Park Lodge 14 male beds. The single sex properties enable clients to truly explore and address their issues within a place of safety and support.  In this environment they are encouraged to attend voluntary work and/or an educational/vocational training course in the community; this is in addition to regular group therapy sessions and one to one counselling sessions.We also have an allotment and clients are encouraged to take an interest in its development and harvesting of the produce for their meals.