RCN Counselling Service

For many years the RCN has recognised the value of counselling in health care settings, and has provided a dedicated counselling service to RCN members for more than 20 years. The service provides a range of short term, confidential one to one counselling for RCN member's experiencing emotional distress. 

The counselling service is available to all RCN members and is UK-wide. The service is run from the RCN Direct offices in Cardiff. A team of affiliate counsellors also provide counselling sessions to members and they are located around the UK. The service has three key functions:

  • Providing short-term counselling and psychological support for RCN members
  • Providing advice, consultancy and training for RCN staff and activists
  • Promoting the psychological health of nurses through research, dissemination, policy work and project activity.

The service offers short-term counselling on both professional and personal issues, although, in practice, most of the members we see come to us with issues relating to their employment, and nearly half of our contacts are the result of a referral from an RCN source.

Accessing the service

To access the service, telephone the RCN counselling line on 0345 769 7064 between 8.30am and 8.30pm seven days a week. An initial assessment appointment can then be made for you with an RCN counsellor.

The typical wait until the first appointment is between seven to 14 days, although those with acute needs can usually be offered an appointment on the same day.

To ensure an equitable service for all members, the RCN operates a telephone counselling service. In exceptional circumstances there may be a possibility of face to face counselling sessions. 

Counsellors may also occasionally provide support to groups of members in their workplaces, for example, where a group of nurses have been affected by a difficult or distressing situation such as being involved in an investigatory process, or where conflict has arisen with a manager or colleague.

The service also contributes to national policy and development in a number of key areas relating to psychological health and nursing, including the development of staff counselling and psychological support provision.

General enquiries

Email your general enquiries about the counselling service to: counselling@rcn.org.uk. Please include your membership number and telephone number. Emails will usually be answered within seven days. 

Telephone the Counselling line: 0345 769 7064.