THE RISING demand for counsellors required to tackle a range of issues including gambling, gaming and alcohol in Southampton means one charity wants to recruit more than 80 qualified therapists (October 2021).

Options Wellbeing Trust, which offers a range of professional support to people across Southampton, is on the hunt for self-employed associate practitioners to join its team.

Wendy Lee, Head of Health and Wellbeing, explains:

“Our services cover topics including gambling, gaming and alcohol issues, as well as those connected with loneliness and isolation.

“We’re also now dealing with anxiety about returning to ‘normal’ and leaving the safety of home post-pandemic, plus self-harm, trauma and bereavement.

“To help meet the surge in demand we’re seeing, we’re looking for Associate Therapists and Practitioners to join our friendly and supportive community.

“We’re keen for anyone who is a qualified therapist or practitioner and registered with a recognised professional body such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UKRCP, CA & ANLP, to contact us to find out more.

“We’d really like to hear from those who have experience working with people with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship, alcohol and gambling issues.

“They can get in touch through our social media pages, by emailing support@optionswellbeing.co.uk, or calling 023 8063 0219 to find out more.”

Options Wellbeing is part of Social Care in Action (SCiA), which is based on Dukes Road in Southampton and is a not-for-profit group of charitable social enterprises working together to improve health and wellbeing in communities across the south of England.

For further details, please visit www.optionswellbeing.co.uk.