Mental Health Support

First Class Support provides mental health support to individuals and groups either in-person or remotely. There are different methods of mental health support that can be used to alleviate psychological tension and unease. If you are unsure what method would best suit you, we recommend speaking to one of our counsellors initially who will be able to identify whether any other method is needed.

Counselling

Our counselling services provide a comprehensive range of professional and compassionate support to individuals, couples, and groups, in their journey towards improved mental health and psychological well-being.

Our team of highly trained and licensed counselors specialise in various areas, including anxiety, depression, stress management, and self-esteem.

We provide a safe and confidential space where clients can openly express their thoughts and emotions. Or counsellors work collaboratively with our clients to develop personalised treatment plans tailored to their specific needs and goals. With a focus on evidence-based practices and a client-centered approach, our counseling services aim to empower individuals to overcome challenges, enhance resilience, and achieve lasting positive change.

Whether you are seeking short-term counselling or long-term therapy, our fully qualified and insured therapists offer a wealth of support and resources to help you make informed decisions about your mental health and well-being.

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Bereavement/Grief Counselling

Our bereavement and grief counselling support specialises in guidance for individuals who are experiencing the profound impact of loss and grief.

Losing a loved one can be one of life's most challenging and emotional experiences. Our compassionate and experienced counsellors provide a safe and understanding space for individuals to process their grief, navigate through the stages of mourning, and find healing and hope in their journey towards recovery.

Our bereavement and grief counselling services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, recognising that grief is a highly personal and individualised process.

Our counselors utilise evidence-based therapeutic approaches to help clients cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical manifestations of grief, while also addressing any associated challenges such as anxiety, depression, or relationship strain.

Through compassionate listening, empathy, and practical strategies, our counsellors empower clients to accept their loss, find meaning in their grief, and ultimately rebuild their lives in a way that honors their loved one's memory.

Our bereavement and grief counselling services will help enable individuals to navigate through their grief journey and find the support they need to heal and thrive.

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Trauma Counselling

Our trauma counseling services provide support and healing for individuals who have experienced significant and distressing events in their lives.

Traumatic experiences can have a profound impact on a person's well-being, often leading to a range of emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms.

Our highly trained and compassionate counsellors specialise in trauma-informed support, offering a safe and supportive environment for clients to process and heal from their traumatic experiences.

Our trauma counseling services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, recognising that trauma affects people in different ways.

Our counselors draw from evidence-based therapeutic methodologies to help clients address and resolve the effects of trauma.

Through a collaborative and client-centered approach, our counselors work with individuals to identify and address trauma-related symptoms such as anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, and hyper-vigilance, to name only a few. They also help clients develop healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and restore a sense of safety, trust, and control in their lives.

Our trauma counseling services extend beyond individual therapy sessions. We can also provide and signpost individuals to educational resources, support groups, and workshops to empower our clients and promote healing in a supportive community.

Our goal is to help clients navigate the path to recovery, find strength in their resilience, and reclaim their lives after experiencing trauma.

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Child Counselling

Our child counseling services are designed to provide professional support and guidance to children who may be facing emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges.

We understand that children may experience difficulties in various areas of their lives, such as school, family, relationships, or personal struggles. Our highly trained child counsellors create a safe and nurturing environment where children can express themselves freely and work through their concerns.

Child counseling is a collaborative process that involves the child, their parents or guardians, and the counsellor. Our counsellors use age-appropriate therapeutic techniques to help children explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They can employ play therapy, art therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and other evidence-based approaches to address the specific needs of each child.

Our child counsellors are experienced in working with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, behavioral problems, academic difficulties, social skills deficits, and family conflicts.

They focus on building a strong therapeutic relationship with the child, providing empathy, validation, and support throughout the counseling process.

In addition to individual counselling, we can offer family counselling to involve parents or guardians in the child's healing journey. This collaborative approach aims to improve communication, enhance parenting skills, and strengthen the family dynamics. Our counselors also provide guidance and support to parents, equipping them with strategies to better understand and meet their child's emotional and developmental needs.

Our child counselling services are tailored to meet the unique needs and developmental stage of each child. Our goal is to empower children to develop healthy coping skills, improve their emotional well-being, enhance their self-esteem, and thrive in their personal and academic lives. We believe that every child has the potential to overcome challenges and lead a fulfilling and happy life.

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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Our CBT sessions consist of a highly effective and evidence-based approach to therapy that focuses on the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It is based on the premise that our thoughts and beliefs influence how we feel and how we behave.

Our CBT therapists aim to identify and change negative or unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, leading to improved emotional well-being and functioning. During CBT, the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs that may contribute to emotional distress or problematic behaviors.

By examining the evidence for and against these thoughts, clients can develop a more realistic and balanced perspective. This process helps individuals to gain insight into their thinking patterns and develop more adaptive ways of thinking.

Our CBT sessions also focus on behavioral changes, as our behaviors can both influence and be influenced by our thoughts and emotions. Our highly trained therapists work with clients to identify unhelpful behaviors and develop strategies to change them. This may involve setting goals, implementing specific behavioral techniques, and practicing new skills to create positive changes in daily functioning.

CBT is a time-limited and goal-oriented therapy. It typically involves structured sessions with specific interventions and homework assignments to reinforce learning and practice new skills outside of therapy sessions. CBT can be applied to a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, and substance abuse.

The ultimate goal of CBT is to empower individuals to become their own therapist by teaching them practical tools and strategies that they can apply to challenges throughout their lives. By changing negative thinking patterns and maladaptive behaviors, individuals can experience improved emotional well-being, enhanced problem-solving skills, and greater self-confidence.

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Integrated Arts Therapy

This is a holistic approach to therapy that combines traditional talk therapy with various forms of artistic expression. It recognises that the creative process can be a powerful tool for self-expression, exploration, and healing.

Integrated Arts Therapy utilises different art modalities such as visual art, music, movement, drama, and writing to help individuals explore and communicate their thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a non-verbal and creative way.

In our Integrated Arts sessions, the therapist works with the client to identify and address emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. The therapist may use art materials, musical instruments, movement exercises, role-playing, storytelling, or writing prompts to facilitate the creative expression and exploration of the client's inner world. The focus is not on creating masterpieces but on the process of creation and self-discovery.

Through artistic expression, individuals can access deeper levels of awareness, gain insights, release emotions, and develop a greater understanding of themselves and their experiences. The creative process can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to express and explore difficult emotions, traumas, and unresolved issues that may be difficult to verbalise.

Integrated Arts Therapy can be beneficial for individuals of all ages and can be applied to a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem issues, and relationship difficulties. It can also be used as a tool for personal growth, self-exploration, and stress reduction.

The integration of art and therapy allows for a multi-dimensional and multi-sensory approach to healing, engaging the mind, body, and spirit. It can promote self-awareness, self-expression, self-empowerment, and personal transformation. Integrated Arts Therapy can be offered in individual, group, or family settings, depending on the needs and preferences of the client.

Overall, our Integrated Arts Therapy offers a unique and creative approach to therapy that combines the power of the arts with the therapeutic process, fostering personal growth, emotional well-being, and self-discovery.

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Our Mental Health Support Staff

Kate Mulhearn

Helene Coppin

Fiona Drummond

Rachel Unsworth

Rebecca Benson

Jennifer Blaney-Sutton

Fathima Ameer

James Vanstone

Sandra Martin

Nicky Stokes

Nimah Begum

Megan Ogilvie

Samantha Moxon

Rebecca Dew

Jill Spyra

Chris Rowberry

Debbie Lavinchi

Sukhjit Dutt

Gabriella Clarke

Dawn Blakeman

Nicola Keenan

Frances Chambers

Nikki Callis

Fiona Kennedy

Helen Race

Megan Riley

Juvena Ajwani

Faith Hill-King

Anna Swiatowska

Katarzyna Gajowy

Alison McWhirr

Marie Floyd

Lorna Lapthorn

Karen Arnold

Derith Rhisiart

Tianna Jones

Angela Winter

Catherine Carter

Donna Broadhead

Josephine Nabukeera

Zainab Ashraf

Christopher Masters

Michaela Bisogno

Testimonials

I would highly recommend First Class Support. They have been very responsive and supportive, especially when training up a new sighted guide and note taker to better meet my needs as a visually impaired person. Communication has always been excellent, and I particularly want to mention Steph, who regularly calls just to check in, offer support, and provide really valuable information. That personal touch makes a huge difference. I also want to give a special mention to Spencer and Paul, my sighted guide and note takers. Without their support, patience, and understanding, I genuinely would not have been able to manage university life as a visually impaired student. They have helped me navigate campus, stay on top of my studies, and get through many of the everyday struggles that can come with uni life as a VI person. Their support has made such a positive difference to both my confidence and independence. I also appreciate how understanding and accommodating the wider team are overall. It feels clear that they genuinely care about providing the right support and making sure things are working well. Overall, my experience with First Class Support has been very positive, and I truly appreciate the care, communication, and effort they put into supporting me.

Student

I have got a lovely support worker from FCS, she has supported me with my ADHD and possible autism. I have received very personalised support and it has benefited me a lot since coming to university.

Student

The experience of working with FCS as a study skills tutor has been immensely fulfilling. The collaborative and encouraging work atmosphere has aided my professional and personal development in addition to its influence on pupils. My special thanks to Georgia for highlighting my qualifications and giving me the opportunity to work at FCS. It has been a great breakthrough for me as I have gained significant experience and skills by offering direction, inspiration, and specialised support to the students. Seeing them succeed at achieving their holistic potential and develop self-confidence has been really rewarding. I would highly recommend FCS to anyone passionate about education and helping others succeed. It’s a role that challenges you, inspires you, and gives you the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a meaningful contribution

Support Tutor

I want to thank you for providing an amazing support worker who has supported me for the past 4 years during my degree. Rosa has been super helpful and supported me with my work as well as personally when I was struggling. I got first class for my degree! Thank you and please thank Rosa as well for helping me achieve this!

University Student

Having worked with FCS for just over a year as a specialist note-taker, study support and sighted guide I have found the experience both professional and rewarding. The FCS team have been supportive, communicative, and professional form the first day. The support and training provided is excellent and there is always a fast and informative response whenever a question arises. The work life balance and flexibility of hours is fantastic, allowing for a range of hours and roles to suit any lifestyle. The opportunities are always well advertised and communicated whenever available and on top of all that the job satisfaction is outstanding with the support of the FCS team and the amazing and talented students that you work with and encounter in this role. A stellar agency and a joy to work with.

Support Tutor

I have found everyone at FCS to be very friendly and helpful. My case worker Sara has been absolutely perfect with arranging my support and keeping me updated ensuring everything is in place and going well. The company is fantastic and my support workers particularly Kerry and Anne have been amazing and I couldn’t have asked for better.

University Student

I have been working for first- class support as a specialist mentor for over a year now. I can honestly say it has been one of the best experiences of my career. The placement coordinator's are supportive and concise with their matching of students and are always there to solve any issues that I may have. Truly an exceptional agency!

Support Tutor

As a self employed specialist note-taker I highly recommend FCS, from the beginning of employment they provided me with accessible training and a variety of jobs within my area to support students. FCS staff have been a tremendous amount of support, I commend their communication as they are always in touch with myself ensuring all my questions and queries are met. Eve and Keri who are coordinators for several students at FCS have been extremely helpful, supportive, and encouraging for myself to aid the students I work with. I recommend to those who want to work within a supporting capacity with students to work with FCS!

Support Tutor

From the moment I joined the team, I felt welcomed, valued, and supported in every aspect of my role. The coordinators are always readily available to address any queries or concerns, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable work experience. The opportunity to engage with students from different parts of the country pursuing various degrees is an absolute delight. Every student brings a unique set of challenges and barriers they face in their academic journey. As a Specialist Mentor, I have the privilege of assisting these students in overcoming their obstacles and witnessing their growth and success. The feeling of being able to positively influence their student journey is truly rewarding and fulfilling. First Class Support has truly given me the best opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students. I feel fortunate to be part of a team that shares my passion for helping others and values the transformative power of education. Furthermore, First Class Support offers a fantastic work-life balance, which is a rare gem in today's fast-paced world. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained with First Class Support, and I highly recommend them to anyone seeking a rewarding and meaningful career in student support and mentoring.

Support Tutor

Working for FCS as an Assistive Technology Trainer and Specialist Autism Mentor, I have met some of the most amazing people, both Students and staff. The staff all have the same goals to inspire and help students thrive at their studies. The students are amazing with their creativity and dedication to their projects, The reward of seeing them succeed and overcoming their challenges is awesome.

Support Tutor

My time with my support tutor has been absolutely amazing, she understands me, she takes her time with me if I can't find the right word and understands that I need time to process and speak louder for me to hear. I appreciate your help, time and commitment, I don't know where I would be without you. I want to say a huge thank you to Jake at FCS for being so supportive and absolutely amazing. He has been so understanding and patient with me and helping with any problems I have.

University Student

While working with FCS I have been highly supported and very happy, the team is so friendly and always on hand via call or email if I need to contact them in any situation, making being self-employed whilst studying at university so easy. I have worked with FCS for two years now and have always appreciated the flexibility of the job as well as the great pay! I would recommend working with FCS to anyone as they nurture such a positive environment to work in.

Support Tutor

I really enjoy working with my colleagues and students at First Class Support. The learners really benefit from regular academic support sessions to give them a greater possibility of gaining their degrees for Arts and Science related subjects. They each require particular, tailored support for their studies and I enjoy being able to make their learning experiences positive with my teaching and guidance. My experience and qualifications make this role very enjoyable to perform and I gain great job satisfaction from working with my caseloads of learners. I feel I am a valued member of the team and everyone is a delight to work with.

Support Tutor

I am delighted as always with the support I get from Rebecca.  She has helped me so much again this year.  Even just the act of talking through my work to her helps me to understand it more.  The improvement in my writing is incredible, with Rebecca's help I have developed so much.  She is a fabulous support.  So knowledgeable and kind and understanding with it too.  I would be lost without her. Rebecca really is an asset to FCS!

University Student

Cannot fault the support this company has given me during my degree and with my DSA. The mentoring I have received has been flawless, it feels like that I have progressed so much with their help. they genuinely care. Hillary is amazing as a mentor and as a friend

University Student

First Class have supported me through my first year of university and currently my second year, they are very efficient and very quick with their response to emails, I would highly recommend First Class Support.

University Student

I have been working as a support specialist for FCS for almost two years now and the experience has been amazing. The students that I have been able to support academically have been inspiring and it has been wonderful to see them find fulfilment in their studies. The staff at FCS are friendly, accommodating and a pleasure to work with. I recommend this business highly.

Support Tutor

I received support from FCS throughout the 3 years I was studying at university. I can honestly say that without the regular meetings and communication with my mentor, Celia, I would not have made it to the end of my degree. Her support was invaluable and I would not have my degree without her. I also found FCS very helpful and responsive via email, they contacted me periodically to check everything was going well and were always prompt in their replies.

University Student

Amazing service, they gave me the tools and support I needed to tackle academic writing at masters level. Prior to their support, I would never of even dreamt it possible to achieve a postgraduate certificate in education. Thank you FCS!

University student

I was assigned a mentor from FCS and she was an absolute god send. The whole process from sign up to actually meeting my mentor was so easy and hassle free. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

University Student

They support my wife, without there quality, professional support my wife would not be able to do her university course. They have gone out of their way to help and supply information that has help my wife no end, and have supplied a constant and professional support person through out her time. You could not get a better company for your needs anywhere else. Very highly recommended if i could I would give them 10 stars.

University Student

Excellent service received by my mentor. Don't know what I'd do without them. Thank you so much for all your help. Highly recommended. Especially Jill.

University Student

I was given two types of support from First Class as part of my Disabled Student Allowance. The support people are incredibly professional, and the staff at First Class who organised the support are really lovely, they assist me when I have any concerns or issues with the support I am receiving. They continue to contact me to make sure everything is running smoothly and check that I am okay with the support I am getting. I would definitely recommend First Class for those who do need additional support.

University Student

Helping me with my degree now. Very friendly and helpful staff. My support worker is amazing and is always there for me when I need it.

University Student

Like the name implies, in my experience first class support was given. I felt safe and confident in sharing personal details with the staff, and found them to be very professional. Highly recommend!

University Student

I was assigned a mentor for my undergrad study with first class support. I found this incredibly helpful and their approach was excellent. I’ve had only good interactions with my mentor and all communications with first class support.

University Student

An absolutely fabulous company, very supportive and replies very quickly to emails, when I have spoken to them on the phone they have been very polite and reassuring. I currently have support supplied by them and it is very good support. they go above and beyond for their students i would very much recommend their services

University Student

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