Great news today for Myaware members – I have just received an email to let me know a free counselling service has been put in place. The telephone and Skype service will be offered by an experienced counsellor called Robert. It’s only open to Myaware members, but you can register here for free.
The message I received said: ‘Robert has an extensive background in counselling, having been practising since 1998 and is an Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
‘Robert has a keen interest in life transitions, stress, anxiety, depression, bereavement and loss. He also has experience of working with people with long-term conditions and their carers.’
The advantages of a free counselling services
First of all, specialist counselling is expensive and in most locations the NHS waiting lists are long. How many people receive counselling when they really need it without services like this?
Then there’s the fact that this service is being offered by Myaware meaning the counsellor should know, or will understand after a short time, about the condition and the impact it has. Other free counselling options, through the NHS for instance, are pot luck in terms of the counsellor you receive. While you may be lucky, I’ve heard plenty of anecdotes about ineffective therapists missing the point.
The fact that it is available via the phone and Skype means it’s accessible to people all over the country and probably less intimidating than a face-to-face option. Volunteering as a Childline counsellor has highlighted how having someone far removed to talk to can help with perspective.
Getting diagnosed with myasthenia, and then having to live with it, is an upheaval for everyone. I applaud Myaware for putting this service in place.
Will I be calling Robert?
If this service had been around when I was diagnosed, I would definitely have taken advantage. At present I’m feeling comfortable speaking to loved ones about it, however I will keep it in mind if I’m struggling to cope again.
Contact details
If you feel that counselling could help you, call 01332 290219 or email counselling@myaware.org.
365 days of myasthenia 
This is fantastic news. I raised over £2000 last year for Myaware doing a tandem skydive. It’s great to know that maybe a tiny fraction of this money may have gone towards this. What an amazing service to offer our members.