Online Counselling in the North East: Support Wherever You Feel Comfortable

Life can feel overwhelming sometimes. You may be living with anxiety, struggling with low mood, coping with a bereavement or finding it difficult to manage the pressures of everyday life. Whatever you are going through, you do not have to face it alone.

At Anxious Minds, we offer online counselling in the North East, helping people access support from a place where they feel comfortable. Whether you live in Newcastle, Northumberland, County Durham, Sunderland or another part of the region, online counselling can make it easier to take that first step.

Our charity is here to listen, help you explore what is troubling you and support you as you move forward.

What is online counselling?

Online counselling is a talking therapy that allows you to speak to a counsellor remotely, usually through a video call. It gives you the opportunity to discuss your thoughts, feelings and experiences without needing to travel to a counselling centre.

Just like face-to-face counselling, online sessions provide time to talk about the things that matter to you. Your counsellor will listen without judgement and work with you to explore your concerns.

You do not need to have all the answers before you begin. You may know exactly what you want to talk about, or you may simply feel that things are not quite right.

The NHS recognises online and telephone appointments as ways to access talking therapies. NHS

Who can online counselling help?

People seek counselling for many different reasons. You might be experiencing a particular difficulty, or you may have been feeling unlike yourself for some time.

Anxious Minds supports people with a range of concerns, including:

• Anxiety and excessive worrying
• Depression and low mood
• Stress and feeling overwhelmed
• Bereavement and grief
• Trauma and difficult past experiences
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Relationship difficulties
• Major life changes

There is no need to wait until you reach a crisis before asking for help. If your thoughts or feelings are affecting your daily life, relationships or wellbeing, talking to someone may be a positive first step.

Why choose online counselling?

Access support from home

Travelling to an appointment is not always easy. You may live some distance from a counselling centre, have caring responsibilities, experience mobility difficulties or feel anxious about leaving home.

Online counselling allows you to speak with a counsellor from a private place that works for you. For some people, being in familiar surroundings can make it easier to begin talking.

Save time on travel

When life is busy, finding time for an appointment can be difficult. Online counselling removes the need to travel to and from a centre, which may make support easier to fit around your other commitments.

Connect with a North East charity

Choosing online counselling does not mean losing the connection to your local community. Anxious Minds is a North East mental health charity with experience supporting people across the region.

We understand that everyone’s circumstances are different. Our aim is to offer a welcoming service that helps people feel heard and supported.

Choose the setting that feels right for you

Some people prefer meeting a counsellor face to face, while others feel more comfortable talking online or over the telephone. Anxious Minds offers online, telephone and face-to-face counselling, subject to availability and suitability. You can discuss the options with our team before deciding what is right for you. Anxious Minds

Online counselling for anxiety

Anxiety can affect people in many ways. You might find yourself worrying constantly, avoiding situations, having trouble sleeping or feeling on edge. Sometimes it can be difficult to explain why you feel anxious at all.

Online counselling provides a space to talk about what you are experiencing and explore the things that may be contributing to it. Your counsellor can support you to develop a better understanding of your feelings and consider ways to manage them.

Taking the first step can feel daunting, particularly when anxiety makes it difficult to reach out. You can start by contacting our team and asking any questions you may have.

Online counselling for depression and low mood

When you are experiencing depression or low mood, even everyday tasks can feel exhausting. You might feel disconnected from other people, lose interest in activities you once enjoyed or struggle to see a way forward.

Talking to a counsellor can give you a place to share how you feel at your own pace. You do not need to pretend that everything is fine or worry about finding the perfect words.

If your symptoms are affecting your daily life, it can also be helpful to speak to your GP about the support available to you.

Online bereavement and grief counselling

Losing someone close to you can change your life in ways that are difficult to describe. Grief can bring sadness, anger, guilt, confusion or numbness, and there is no set timetable for how it should feel.

Online counselling can offer a supportive space to talk about the person you have lost and how you are coping. It may be helpful whether your bereavement is recent or happened some time ago.

Online counselling for stress and difficult life changes

Work pressures, money worries, caring responsibilities, relationship changes and other challenges can build up over time. Even positive changes can leave you feeling unsettled or uncertain.

Counselling gives you an opportunity to step back, explore what is happening and talk through your feelings with someone outside your everyday situation.

You do not need to have a diagnosis or a single, clearly defined problem to ask about support.

How online counselling works

If you are considering online counselling with Anxious Minds, the first step is to get in touch with our team.

1. Contact us. Tell us that you are interested in online counselling and share a little about the support you are looking for.
2. Discuss your needs. Our team can explain the service, ask about your circumstances and help you consider whether online counselling is suitable.
3. Ask about availability and costs. We can explain current waiting times, session fees and the next steps.
4. Prepare for your appointment. If online counselling is right for you, we will explain how to join your session and what you need.

Before your appointment, it can help to find a quiet, private space where you feel comfortable speaking. You will usually need a device with an internet connection, a camera and a microphone. Headphones may help you feel more comfortable and protect your privacy.

If you are concerned about technology, let us know. You can also ask whether telephone or face-to-face counselling might be suitable for you.

Is online counselling confidential?

Counselling is a confidential space, and your counsellor should explain how your information is handled before your sessions begin.

There are limits to confidentiality, including circumstances where there is a serious safeguarding concern or a legal requirement to share information. Your counsellor can explain these limits and answer your questions.

Your own privacy matters too. Try to join your session from somewhere you cannot be overheard, if possible. If that is difficult, speak to our team about your options.

Is online counselling right for me?

Online counselling can be a helpful option for many people, but everyone’s needs and circumstances are different.

It may suit you if you:

• Prefer talking from your own home
• Find travelling to appointments difficult
• Live some distance from a counselling centre
• Have work, family or caring commitments
• Feel more comfortable starting a conversation remotely

It may be less suitable if you cannot find a private place to talk, have difficulty using the necessary technology or need a different level of support. Our team can discuss your circumstances and help you explore the available options.

If you would prefer to meet in person, Anxious Minds also provides counselling from centres in Wallsend and Blyth, subject to availability. Anxious Minds

Affordable online counselling in the North East

We know that the cost of counselling can be a concern. Anxious Minds provides low-cost counselling, and our team can explain the current fees and whether any reduced-cost options may apply to you.

Because fees and availability can vary, please contact us for the most up-to-date information before booking.

You can also explore free NHS talking therapies. In England, many people can refer themselves directly for help with anxiety and depression without first speaking to a GP. Availability and the type of support offered depend on your needs and local service. Find out more through the NHS talking therapies service finder. NHS

Areas we support across the North East

Online counselling can help people connect with support wherever they live in the region, including:

• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Gateshead
• North Tyneside and South Tyneside
• Sunderland
• Northumberland
• County Durham

If you live elsewhere in the North East, contact our team to ask about eligibility and availability.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral from my GP?

You can contact Anxious Minds directly to ask about counselling and how to access the service. You may also wish to speak to your GP about your mental health and other support available.

How much does online counselling cost?

Anxious Minds offers low-cost counselling. Please contact our team for current online session fees, reduced-cost options and availability.

How many counselling sessions will I need?

This depends on your circumstances, your goals and the support available. You can discuss the proposed number of sessions with the team before you begin.

Can I have counselling over the telephone?

Anxious Minds also offers telephone counselling. Ask our team whether it is available and suitable for your needs.

What if I feel nervous about my first session?

It is natural to feel nervous. You do not need to prepare a speech or know exactly what to say. Your counsellor can help you get started, and you can take things at a pace that feels manageable.

What if online counselling is not right for me?

If online counselling does not feel suitable, speak to our team about other options. These may include telephone or face-to-face counselling, or another service that better meets your needs.

Take the first step with Anxious Minds

Asking for help can feel difficult, but you do not have to work everything out on your own. Whether you are living with anxiety, coping with loss or simply finding life hard at the moment, we are here to listen.

Give us a call  0191 262 0305 OR email us on: info@anxiousminds.co.uk 

Find out more about counselling with Anxious Minds and contact our team to ask about online support.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.