About MHC Counselling Centre
Our Ethos
At the core of The Magnificent Horse Chestnut Counselling Centre (MHC) is a steadfast belief in the transformative power of connection, compassion, and community. We are dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment where each individual is treated with respect, empathy, and understanding—regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances.
We are committed to ensuring that mental health support is accessible to all. Every person deserves the opportunity to receive the support they deserve. Through offering low-cost counselling services, we strive to eliminate financial barriers and guarantee that everyone has the chance to be heard and empowered.
We recognise that life’s challenges can be overwhelming, our counsellors are here. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, grief, relationship issues, self-esteem struggles, or simply need a safe space to talk, we provide a confidential setting where your experiences are acknowledged and respected.
Counselling with us is about exploration and empowering you to move forward in your own unique way and at your own pace. This counselling centre is dedicated to honesty, healing, and hope.
We firmly believe in the strength of community and the healing that comes from being truly seen and valued.
Here, you are not alone. You are welcome, just as you are.
Our Services
What we offer at MHC
Our wonderful team at MHC Counselling Centre consists of both qualified and trainee counsellors and psychotherapists, all dedicated to providing compassionate and professional support. They work in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by the BACP and receive professional clinical supervision to ensure the highest level of ethical practice.
MHC Counselling Centre offers counselling to any individuals over the age of 18 years old.
We offer blocks of eight counselling sessions, with the option to extend should additional support be desired or necessary. Each session lasts for 50 minutes, which is the standard duration for counselling sessions, described as a counselling hour. Once a block of sessions concludes, you are always welcome to return for further support.
At MHC Counselling Centre, we strive to make mental health care accessible to all, accommodating a wide range of needs and circumstances. To ensure flexibility and convenience, we offer two options for accessing counselling:
- In-Person Counselling: Meet with your counsellor at MHC, where you will be greeted in the waiting area and guided to a confidential, comfortable, and undisturbed counselling room.
- Online Counselling: Access our services from the comfort of your own home through secure online sessions.
We are committed to working with you to identify the best option for your needs and can seamlessly switch between in-person and online sessions as required.
Please Note:
- MHC provides counselling services by appointment only and does not offer a drop-in option at this time.
- We provide accessible facilities, including a fully equipped disabled-access toilet, with ground floor therapy rooms.
- Access to our services may be subject to certain limitations based on the specific needs of the client seeking counselling. These limitations can be discussed during the initial contact meeting, if necessary.
Therapies Offered
Our counselling services are grounded in a humanistic assessment approach, which adopts a holistic, person-centred perspective. This method is proactive and empowering, with a strong emphasis on promoting personal autonomy and fostering long-term, meaningful change, rather than offering a temporary "quick fix".
The humanistic approach places the individual at the centre of the therapeutic process, honouring their innate capacity for self-awareness, growth, and change. Clients are supported in becoming self-governing, developing their own insights and making empowered decisions. This takes place within a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship, where empathy, authenticity, and trust form the foundation.
While our work is rooted in humanistic principles, we integrate a range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities to ensure each client receives personalised and effective support. These include but not limited to:
- Person-Centred Therapy – Focusing on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness to facilitate personal growth and self-discovery.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Assisting clients in identifying and reframing unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours to promote healthier coping strategies.
- Psychodynamic Therapy – Exploring unconscious patterns, past experiences, and relational dynamics that may influence present challenges.
- Gestalt Therapy – Encouraging present moment awareness, personal responsibility, and integration of thoughts, feelings, and actions. It emphasises the here-and-now experience to promote self-understanding and change.
- Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Enhancing present moment awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience through meditation and awareness practices.
Each therapeutic approach is carefully selected and tailored to meet the unique needs, goals, and preferences of the individual. Therapy is a collaborative and adaptive process, and we are committed to providing a flexible, responsive approach that evolves with the client throughout their journey.
Accessing the Service
If you feel that MHC may be the right fit for you, or if you have any questions about our services, we welcome your inquiry. Please feel free to contact us via email at admin@mhccc.co.uk,
What Happens Next?
Once we receive your email expressing interest in counselling, we will respond with a self-referral form. This form will request some basic information about yourself and the reasons you are seeking counselling. Upon receiving the completed form, we will schedule an initial contact meeting, which will take place by phone and typically lasts around 20 minutes.
Following the initial conversation, we will arrange your counselling sessions with a counsellor who is best suited to address your specific needs and goals.