Men’s Counselling Service has been launched this year by Keswick friends Will Muir and Ben Jefferson.
The idea for the new service is the product of Ben’s previous experience of ‘not knowing where to turn for support’, with the service underpinned by a determination to make therapy more accessible for men across the county and in the long-term, across the UK.
After launching the service, Men’s Counselling Service now boasts a ‘strong and growing’ presence across Cumbria, with qualified therapists in Carlisle, the Lake District, West Cumbria, and Barrow-in-Furness.
“We launched Men’s Counselling Service this year with the aim of making it easier for men to access support, and it means a lot to have a presence in Cumbria,” Ben Jefferson MBACP said, speaking to the News & Star.
“Our goal is to bring like-minded therapists with a passion for working with men together, in turn making it easier for men looking for private support to connect with a qualified, passionate professional.”
“There is a long way to go, but providing men with an easy way to access support built around their needs – we hope to make a positive difference to people who might find it difficult to take the first step in a new direction.”
According to Ben and Will, the service is designed to be as ‘simple and discreet’ as possible with the aim of enabling men to access the support they need in ‘as few clicks as possible’.
Tim Campbell is a counsellor and therapist with Men’s Counselling Service based in Carlisle and recounted his experiences with men who have found it difficult to seek support.
Tim Campbell (Image: Supplied)
He said: “A lot of the men who come to me have spent years just cracking on, carrying the weight and hoping it sorts itself out.
“They’re the type who don’t ask for help, ever. They come in nervous, unsure what therapy even is — then realise it’s just a straight, honest chat with someone who isn’t judging them. When a bloke who’s kept himself wound tight for decades finally lets some of that pressure off, that’s powerful.
“I’m genuinely passionate about this work, because there’s a massive gap out there for men who’ve never had a safe place to talk. Society needs this more than people admit.”
To find out more about Men’s Counselling Service and the support it offers, you can visit there website here: https://menscounsellingservice.com/directory/