Finding a Counsellor in Gibraltar: What to Look For and What to Expect
Deciding to speak to a counsellor is often a quiet decision. It may have been building for weeks or months before you start searching.
And once you do start, the questions can pile up quickly.
Who is available? How do I know if someone is properly trained? What will the first session be like? And in a place as small as Gibraltar, will anyone know?
This article is a straightforward guide to finding a counsellor in Gibraltar, what to look for, and what you can reasonably expect.
Where people in Gibraltar usually start
There are two main routes.
The first is through your GP at the Primary Care Centre. The Gibraltar Health Authority offers a range of mental health support, including counselling and psychology, and your GP can talk through the options with you and make a referral where appropriate.
The second is private counselling. People choose this for different reasons. Some would like to begin sooner. Some want to choose who they see. Others simply prefer to have a space that feels separate from the rest of their healthcare.
Neither route is better than the other. They are different, and it is fine to find out about both before deciding.
What to look for in a counsellor
Professional membership
The word "counsellor" is not a protected title, which means that, in principle, anyone can use it. That is why membership of a recognised professional body matters.
In practice, this usually means a counsellor who is registered with an organisation such as the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), UKCP or NCPS.
You may come across two BACP terms that are easy to confuse:
BACP Registered (MBACP) means the counsellor has completed recognised training, has passed BACP's requirements, appears on the BACP Register and works within the BACP Ethical Framework. It also means there is a formal complaints procedure if something goes wrong.
BACP Accredited is a further, optional level of membership based on additional hours of experience and an application process.
Both are properly qualified. The important thing is that the description is accurate. You can check any BACP member on the BACP Register online.
For transparency, I am a BACP Registered Member (MBACP).
How they work
Counsellors work in different ways. Some are more structured and goal-focused. Others, myself included, work in a more open and exploratory way, following what feels most important to you rather than a fixed programme.
You do not need to understand the theory behind each approach. What tends to matter more is how it feels to sit with that person. Research has consistently found that the quality of the relationship between client and counsellor is one of the most important factors in whether counselling is helpful.
So it is worth paying attention to whether you feel listened to, and whether you feel you could be honest with them over time.
How they handle confidentiality
In Gibraltar, this question often matters more than people expect.
Professional, social and family circles overlap here, and it can be a real worry that something said in a counselling room might somehow travel. I have written more about this in Living in a Small Community: The Hidden Pressure Many People Feel in Gibraltar.
A good counsellor will be happy to explain clearly what is kept confidential and the small number of situations where that might not apply, such as serious concerns about someone's safety.
It is also perfectly reasonable to ask practical questions. For example, what happens if you see each other on Main Street or in a supermarket queue? A thoughtful counsellor will have considered this and will agree with you how you would both prefer to handle it.
The practical side
It helps to know the basics before you begin:
How long are sessions, and how often?
What are the fees, and how is payment made?
What is the cancellation policy?
Are sessions in person, online, or both?
Online counselling can be particularly useful in Gibraltar. It suits people who live across the border in Spain, people with long working days, and those who would rather not be seen arriving at an appointment. Many people find it feels more natural than they expected.
Questions worth asking before you begin
Most counsellors offer a short introductory call. This is a good chance to ask anything that matters to you, such as:
What kind of things do you usually work with?
How would you describe the way you work?
What happens in a first session?
How do you handle confidentiality?
Is it possible to work short term, longer term, or simply see how it goes?
There are no wrong questions. How a counsellor responds to them can tell you a lot.
What the first session is like
Many people arrive at a first session unsure what they are supposed to say.
You do not need to have it all worked out. A first session is usually a chance to talk about what has brought you, to go through practical arrangements, and to get a sense of whether working together feels right.
It is a starting point, not a commitment.
If you need support urgently
Counselling is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or worried about your immediate safety, please contact your GP or A&E, where you can be connected with the GHA's 24-hour Crisis Response Service. You can also speak to Gibraltar Samaritans on 116 123.
Counselling in Gibraltar with Andrew Scriven
I offer confidential counselling in Gibraltar, in person and online, for individuals and couples. I also work online with clients in Spain, the UK and further afield.
If you are thinking about counselling but are not sure where to start, you are welcome to arrange a free 15-minute introductory call. It is simply a chance to ask questions and see whether working together feels like the right fit, with no obligation to continue.
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