Kent Kidney Care Centre Counselling Service

The Kidney Team knows that chronic (long-term) kidney disease is a life changing illness. It can have a major impact on peoples lives - physically, mentally / emotionally, socially, and financially. Very often we cannot change our situation. However, we can change how we engage with or manage our health and wellbeing.

What help is available?

Psychological and emotional help is available at any stage of your referral to the Kent Kidney Care Centre. This is available for you and your family members.

You may not want to talk about your personal feelings in detail. However, the counsellor can still support you in dealing with any difficulties you may have.

The service can be used:

• as an information resource

• for advice or as an advocacy service

• as support; and / or

• for counselling.

I don't know if I'll be able to talk to someone I don't know?

Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone who doesn't know you. Someone trained to help with personal and emotional matters.

If you or your family are unsure if you want counselling, the counsellor will be happy to discuss this with you.

What sort of issues / concerns do people bring to counselling?

• Shock after diagnosis.

• Adjustment to life with kidney disease.

• Decision-making about treatment options or medical procedures.

• Concerns about particular types of treatment.

• Emotional or relationship difficulties brought about by illness or treatment.

• The stress of adjusting to new treatments, such as transplantation.

• Kidney donation and its implications.

• Sexual difficulties.

• Keeping to treatment regimens.

• Sometimes feeling that it’s all too much.

• Feeling anxious or depressed.

• Bereavement, loss, and grief of a loved one.

What is counselling?

Counselling gives you the opportunity to:

• share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of rejection or criticism; and

• reflect on your situation, which may help you come to terms with it and put things into perspective.

You choose what and how much you wish to share with the counsellor.

How many counselling sessions will I need?

We arrange sessions based on your individual needs. Some people may ask for 1 or 2 sessions, others may choose short-term counselling, such as 1 to 6 sessions. We currently offer a maximum of 13 sessions per individual contract. However, you can re-refer as many times as you need help from the counsellors.

You may decide with your counsellor to explore in more depth the issues you are facing as a result of kidney disease. Together you can decide what you want to explore or resolve, and the number of sessions to have.

How long are the sessions? And, where do I speak to the counsellor?

A session usually lasts for 1 hour.

The sessions can take place at a patient’s bedside or in the dialysis areas. However, for more privacy we prefer to use the counselling room.

We offer outpatient appointments:

• in person at Kent and Canterbury Hospital; or

• virtually, either via phone or video link.

If you would prefer an appointment at one of our satellite units, please tell the counsellor at your assessment appointment.

Are the sessions confidential?

Yes. All discussions that take place between you and your counsellor are confidential. Your counsellor will not share the content of your sessions without your consent. The only exception to this is for legal reasons. Your counsellor will explain these reasons in more detail at your first meeting.

How do I get in touch with the counsellor?

• Ask a member of the Kidney Team to complete a referral form for you; or

• Contact the counsellor directly Monday to Friday by telephone or email. Or go to their office in person (see their contact details below).

How much will it cost?

The service is free to NHS patients and their relatives who have contact with the Kidney Team.

What if I need to cancel my appointment?

If you need to cancel an appointment, please contact the counsellor as soon as possible. Another appointment can be arranged for another date and time.

How do I contact the counsellors?

• Kidney Counsellors
  Kent Kidney Care Centre, Kent and Canterbury Hospital
  Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG
  Telephone: 01227 864380 (answer machine available)
  Email (Renal Counsellor)
  Email (Lead Renal Counsellor)

We also provide placements for training counsellors who act as volunteers for the service.

What is the Kent Kidney Care Support Group?

Anyone with kidney problems who is registered with the Kent Kidney Care Centre and their families can join our support group. It is an opportunity to meet people and gain support, knowledge, and friendship.

The group meets every two months, in person or via Teams depending on your availability. The meeting is usually from 10.30am to 12.30pm. We alternate the days to allow those having dialysis to attend. We also alternate meeting sites between west and east Kent.  For the link to these meetings, contact the kidney counsellors or go to the Kent Kidney Patients Association web site.

At your request, we can invite to these meetings guest speakers from the health professions or supporting organisations (such as dietitians or carers support) to provide answers to any questions you may have.

If you would like to know more or get involved, please contact the kidney counsellors.

What do you think of this leaflet?

We welcome feedback, whether positive or negative, as it helps us to improve our care and services.

If you would like to give us feedback about this leaflet, please fill in our short online survey. Either scan the QR code below, or use the web link. We do not record your personal information, unless you provide contact details and would like to talk to us some more.

If you would rather talk to someone instead of filling in a survey, please call the Patient Voice Team.

• Patient Voice Team
  Telephone: 01227 868605
  Email