About Survive Childhood Abuse Counselling Service

What is Counselling?

Counselling offers a safe, private space to talk through your concerns and difficulties with the support of a trained professional.

While it may not provide instant solutions to every problem, your counsellor will listen without judgment, help you understand your feelings, and support you in exploring positive, meaningful changes in your life.

All counselling is in person, face to face, at our offices in Crewe, Cheshire.

Our Counselling Approach

After your initial assessment, you’ll be matched with a volunteer counsellor who will support you throughout your time at Survive.

We believe that consistency is key, which is why the same counsellor will work with you for the duration of your counselling. Our approach is built on creating a safe, trusting relationship, and our team draws on a multi-therapy framework — using a range of therapeutic methods tailored to your individual needs, experiences, and goals.

How Will My Sessions Work?

Counselling sessions are usually held weekly, offering you a regular space for support. While there is no fixed number of sessions, counselling at Survive is intended to be a focused, therapeutic process. You and your counsellor will regularly review your progress to ensure that the support remains helpful, appropriate, and goal-oriented.

All sessions take place in person at our offices in Crewe, Cheshire, during our weekday hours of 9am to 5pm.

Confidentiality

Counselling at Survive is confidential. This means that what you share with your counsellor will not be passed on to anyone outside the service.

There are rare exceptions where confidentiality may need to be broken — for example, if there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else, or if required by law (such as concerns about the safety of a child). These situations will be fully explained to you during your initial assessment.

To ensure safe and effective practice, all Survive counsellors receive professional supervision. This means they may occasionally discuss their work with a qualified supervisor, but your identity will never be revealed.

What our clients say

“Even though I was referred by the counsellor at my GP, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I was put at my ease – I was totally lacking in confidence and unable to look at people. I was really listened to – and I think my counsellor probably understands me better than I understand myself – this is improving!

I didn’t know how to express myself but am being supported with this. I am much more confident, but the change has been gradual – I am now able to talk to people that I’ve known for years but never really communicated with.”

Male, 50’s

“I turned to Survive to help me with abuse issues from my past and to support me in leaving an abusive partner. At times I have felt extremely low, but Survive and my counsellor have helped me immensely, especially when I felt I could trust no-one. I am now working, doing a course and moving on with my life instead of dwelling in the past. Survive is a vital service for all abuse victims – young and old.”