Counselling Service

STARS counselling service provides one to one, trauma-informed counselling, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at anytime in their life.

We operate a person-centred approach, combined with a trauma model. We create a safe and confidential space, allowing the client to explore and address thoughts and behaviours that are overwhelming. Through psycho-education, our counsellors help clients understand the impact of their trauma on their brain and their body, giving them control and choice. All our counsellors have completed or are completing a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling or equivalent, are DBS checked and are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). If you would like to see any specific staff training certificates please email [email protected] with your request.

Our counselling service is a confidential service and all information remains within the organisation. However if the counsellor feels that someone is at risk of serious harm or abuse, or that a client is in danger, we will pass information onto other agencies in line with the Dorset-wide Safeguarding Protocols.

Survivors wishing to access our counselling service can make a self-referral or ask a professional they already receive support from to refer on their behalf. They will be offered an initial assessment appointment, once the referral has been received by our team. Counselling will usually commence within three to four months of referral.

Counselling sessions are 50 minutes long and usually take place in our office in Poole, though we are able to offer appointments in Weymouth and Dorchester.

To make a referral you can either download our self-referral form here or a professional referral form here (where a professional can refer you in). If you want any further information or help with a referral, please call 01202 308858 or email [email protected]

If you would like to provide feedback please feel free to fill in one of our Counselling Feedback Forms here.

Latest

Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques are designed to help you be ‘grounded’ in the here and now – not thinking about the past or being overwhelmed by your thoughts or feelings.
Problems Getting to Sleep

Stress from a traumatic event can often lead to a variety of sleep problems. Here are a few ways to help you improve your sleep.
Nightmares

Nightmares are vividly realistic, disturbing dreams that wake you from a deep sleep. Here are a few ways to help manage your nightmares.
Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are sudden periods of intense fear, to follow are some ways that can help you manage panic attacks.

What is an ISVA?

Ever wondered what an ISVA is? Here one of our Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA), Sarah, talks about her role at STARS Dorset.
Victoria's Volunteering Story

This week is Volunteers Week and throughout the week we will be releasing a series of blogs from our volunteers, past and present, about their different volunteering roles. This is Victoria's story.
Moving from Self-Loathing to Self-Love

A beautiful reflective piece by one of our Wellbeing Workshop leaders, Rachel Wilkinson. Rachel is a MARK (Minded Addictions Recover Kit) therapist and founder of CYC Community Yoga Collective a Dorset project making wellbeing accessible to all.
STARS Dorset Receives Funding to Help Children and Adults Affected by Domestic Abuse

STARS Dorset has received funding from both BBC Children in Need and the National Lottery to expand its services in order to help support both children and adults who have been affected by domestic abuse.
The problematic use of past sexual history as evidence in rape trials

The problematic use of past sexual history as evidence in rape trials by Kez Bhola-Dare, 2ND Year Law Student, Bournemouth University, and Jamie Fletcher, Lecturer in Law, Bournemouth University. Whilst there are a range of sexual assault myths that can influence rape trials, this blog focuses on the myth that a women’s sexual history is an indicator of consent to the act in question.
Contact Us

Our contact details, how to get in touch.
Colette's Volunteering Story

This week is Volunteers Week and throughout the week we will be releasing a series of blogs from our volunteers, past and present, about their different volunteering roles. This is Colette's story.
Alex's Volunteering Story

Everyday this week, Volunteer Week 2020, we are sharing a volunteering story, today's is Alex's. Alex began as an Events Volunteer, then become a Support Line Listener and is now Vice Chair of the Trustees.
Compassion in a Cold Climate

For many COVID-19 has ignited flames of anxiety- for those who already struggle with their mental health, it has poured fuel on the fire. Anxiety is a normal human response to adverse situations.
Support STARS

At STARS Dorset all our services are provided free of charge, one of the only ways this is possible is through donations. Every donation however small can help make a huge difference.