Relate Dacorum

Welcome to Relate Dacorum

We would like to welcome you to Relate Dacorum. This may be your first contact with us as an organisation and in fact your first involvement with counselling as a means to help.
The following attempts to give you a little detail about our organisation and some idea about counselling as a helpful activity and in particular about Relate and its counselling methods. We hope this will de-mystify the practice of counselling and allay any anxiety you may have about attending our Centre for counselling or therapy.

What is Relate Dacorum
Relate Dacorum was formed in 1963 and operates from its Centre at The Gables near the old High Street in Hemel Hempstead.

Relate Dacorum is an independent Charity registered with the Charities Commission. Registered Charity Number 261498.

Although an Independent Charity, it is part of the Relate National Federation, which has over 6O years' experience in helping people with their relationships.

Our funding comes from two main sources -- Client contributions form a substantial part of our income along with generous annual grant-in-aid from Dacorum Borough Council's Community Partnerships & Housing section through a Service/Partnership Agreement. This enables us to provide a universal service to all residents of Dacorum independent of their ability to make a full contribution for our services.

Who are We
Relate is a National Organisation made up of some 80 Relate Centres across the United Kingdom. Relate used to be called the Marriage Guidance Council and was formed in 1937. It was in the late 1980s that it decided to change its name from ‘Marriage Guidance Council’ to Relate to reflect the changing patterns of couple relationships.

Relate Dacorum is based in Hemel Hempstead. The Gables is our Centre where counselling takes place. The Centre has full disabled access, however if you have specific access difficulties please contact us and we may be able to make special arrangements to accommodate your requirements.

We are an independent registered Charity that offers its services to all residents in the Dacorum Borough Council area, which includes the towns of Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted, Tring, Kings Langley and all surrounding villages.
All our Counsellors come from a wide range of background and experience and, in addition to the national training programme, have often undergone training in a number of other specialist areas.

What We Do
We offer relationship & family counselling, sexual therapy and other services to help for those experiencing difficulties in marriage or in any adult couple relationship.
We can provide counselling for you and your partner or for you on your own.
We can help if you are having problems and want to work them out, or if you want to separate, or if your relationship has ended.
We also have a sex therapy service. Sexual therapy is available for couples or individuals who have specific sexual problems.
Life Skills, training & other support services for individuals or groups. You can get more details of these services from the following link. Life Skills
Relate recognises, respects and values diversity. Our services are open to anyone who might benefit from them.

What We Don't Do
Medical, legal or financial advice - we can, however, signpost clients to services making this provision
youth counselling – Unless it concerns an adult intimate relationship between two people. Currently Hemel Hempstead has a fully operational youth counselling service for 12 to 24 years (Urban Access – TEL: 01442 252 868)
neighbourhood disputes - the organisation Mediation Dacorum exists to help with these type of issues. (TEL: 01442 268 044)
child minding – we do not have the facilities or resources. Clients will need to make their own arrangements for child minding whilst attending their counselling sessions.

How Do I Get Help
You will be offered an appointment as quickly as possible. If at the end of this appointment it is agreed that Relate counselling or therapy may be helpful, the counsellor will discuss with you at what times you can come on a regular basis, and when this might begin. Appointments are generally available during the day or in the evening. Don't leave contacting Relate until the last moment. Help sought early is usually successful.

What happens when I come to Relate for counselling?

Counselling and therapy takes place in Relate Dacorum's own private consulting rooms at the Gables. Once counselling begins, you will normally see the same counsellor each week and the sessions will usually be an hour long. The counsellor will help you identify your major concerns. During counselling discussions will focus on the relationship and its difficulties by exploring feelings, attitudes, values and expectations. The counsellor will aim to offer support with communication between partners, helping them to consider different options and new possibilities. Your counselling will continue for as long as both you and the counsellor feel it is helpful.
Counselling is a private and confidential form of help. This means that we will not give your name or any information about you to anyone outside Relate unless someone's personal safety is at risk.

Do I have to pay for counselling?
Relate Dacorum relies on payments from clients to keep their services open to everyone and expects users of the service to pay according to their income. The service provided is not affected by the amount paid.