Childhood abuse survivors access support in their own safe place

Health in Mind’s counselling service just a free call away

 

ACCESSING support anonymously can be a barrier for many adults who experienced abuse as children, particularly those living in rural and remote areas of Scotland.

Trauma Counselling Line Scotland or TCLS was established in 2011 and is an unique service – run by the city centre-based Scottish charity, Health in Mind, and funded by the Scottish Government through Survivor Scotland.

Lorraine Sorley is TCLS team leader and she explained that TCLS is believed to be the only case-managed telephone counselling service in Scotland and how each person is allocated their own counsellor, sometimes within days of first making contact.

“When someone is allocated their own counsellor they always speak to the same person which means they never have to repeat information about what has happened to them, and because the service is delivered by ‘phone it means location is never a barrier to receiving help,” she said.

The service is free; sessions are anonymous and totally confidential.

Lorraine continued: “Childhood abuse can include sexual, emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual abuse or neglect with many people never telling anyone what happened to them as a child.

“Anyone using the service will decide what time of day or evening is best for them and as it is telephone counselling, it doesn’t matter where they live and we know from our clients that they choose to speak to their counsellor in a place where they feel safe.”

The counselling team are fully-trained and highly experienced, with male and female counsellors available from a range of ethnic backgrounds. Counselling is also offered in Polish, French and Italian.

Lorraine added: “Having access to specialist support means survivors are able to address the issues that have affected their lives and understand how their experience may have prevented them from living the life they want to lead.”

Last year, people living in the majority of Scotland’s health board areas used the service.

Calling the Trauma Counselling Line Scotland is free

Call 08088 020406