Read what our counsellors say about their experience on placement at EACS.
Counsellor Testimonials
“Like many others, I started volunteering at EACS during my psychotherapy training. Also like many others, I continue to do so for the sense of community, the learning and the ongoing connection with experienced colleagues. As an agency, it stands out for me both in terms of efficient admin support and of a warm, consistently professional, atmosphere – a deeply appreciated, relational base from which to grow and thrive as a psychotherapist. I’d recommend it to anyone, client or volunteer, looking for a positive therapeutic experience!”
- Claire Mankowitz
“I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I have valued and appreciated my time at EACS. I have felt held and supported throughout, never more so than when we all had to adapt to life with Covid. The consideration, flexibility and professionalism of EACS meant a near seamless transition to working online with clients, which, looking back now, is quite remarkable. I feel very lucky that I was able to maintain the therapeutic alliance with my clients and therefore continue my training and professional development. I will always be grateful to EACS for the part it has played in enabling me to qualify as a practitioner.”
- Catherine Hammett
“EACS offers a great environment and strong support for psychosexual and relationship therapy. It is a friendly, professional organisation, which really lives up to its principles, and joins both client and counsellor alike in a positive working atmosphere. The service is not only high-quality but also highly valuable in making therapy more accessible to all”.
- James Reynolds
“My memory of the Ealing Abbey Counselling Service will be of the warmth, kindness and patient thoroughness of all involved.
You really do have a very good organisation and I count myself as most fortunate to have had such a good placement experience, at what has been such a pivotal time for me!”
- Andy Geddes
“I had a placement at EACS for four years and grew greatly from it. I found the service well organised with a careful attention to procedures and structure that provided a safe container for my work with my clients.
EACS has enormous continuity of both staff, supervisors, counsellors and good connections with local mental health services that combined, led to a feeling of solidness that supported me in my work. EACS also allowed me to work with clients for longer than many other low-cost services and my view is that this is ‘deeper’ than more time-limited work.
The clinical support was good. There were assessors with whom I would have detailed discussion about new clients; monthly group supervision, with supervisors being available between meetings when I had something that would not keep; and a senior, experienced clinical manager who added another level of clinical input above all this.
On a practical level, I had a consistent level of client work rather than too many vacancies and with a wide range of client presentations. With the office being visible and by the front door; there being a kitchen that acts as a ‘staff room’, there was a sense that we knew each other and we were working together.”
- Philip Walker