Business Details
37 Years
experience
Professional Mental Health Counselling in South Oxfordshire
Since 1989, Riverside Counselling Service has been dedicated to providing accessible, professional mental health support to individuals aged 12 and above across South Oxfordshire. As a registered charity, we prioritise affordability and inclusivity, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent access to essential counselling services. Our team comprises highly trained counsellors who specialise in psychodynamic, humanistic, and integrative psychotherapy approaches, offering both short-term and long-term support tailored to individual needs. We maintain rigorous professional standards, with all practitioners operating within ethical frameworks and receiving ongoing supervision and training. Our services are delivered through in-person sessions, online therapy, and telephone consultations, ensuring flexibility to accommodate diverse client circumstances.Over the past three decades, we have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, with 100% of clients reporting mental health improvements in the last year. Our multidisciplinary team includes experienced supervisors, managers, and trustees who collectively ensure the delivery of high-quality care. We actively engage with local communities through outreach initiatives and partnerships, while maintaining transparent pricing structures based on household income. Our governance framework includes robust safeguarding protocols and continuous quality improvement mechanisms. By combining clinical expertise with compassionate care, we create safe, non-judgmental spaces where clients can explore personal challenges at their own pace.
Services
Ongoing Counselling
Drop-In Sessions
Young People's Service
Group Therapy
Online Counselling
Telephone Therapy
Initial Consultations
Counsellor Matching
Mental Health Support
Therapy Assessments
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We have been supporting mental health since 1989 with professional counsellors
- 100% of clients reported mental health improvements in the past year
- All practitioners work within professional ethical frameworks with supervision
- Flexible delivery options including in-person, online and telephone counselling
- Income-based pricing ensures accessibility for all financial backgrounds
What people say
Professional counsellors
Flexible support options
Significant mental health improvements
Confidential environment
Affordable sessions
Services
Ongoing Counselling
Our core one-to-one counselling service provides regular confidential sessions for exploring personal challenges. Clients receive tailored support through psychodynamic, humanistic or integrative approaches, with options for short-term or long-term therapy based on individual needs. Sessions occur weekly or fortnightly.
Drop-In Sessions
Free 30-minute drop-in consultations available without appointment for adults in Berinsfield. These initial sessions offer immediate support and assessment, helping determine appropriate ongoing care pathways while providing practical coping strategies for urgent concerns.
Young People's Service
Specialised counselling for ages 12-18 addressing emotional difficulties and developmental challenges. Our youth-focused therapists create age-appropriate therapeutic environments using techniques suited to adolescent communication styles and mental health needs.
Group Therapy
Structured group sessions addressing common mental health challenges through shared experiences. Participants develop interpersonal skills and coping mechanisms while receiving professional guidance in a supportive group setting focused on specific therapeutic goals.
Online Counselling
Secure video and telephone counselling sessions for clients preferring remote access. This service maintains the same professional standards and therapeutic effectiveness while offering geographical flexibility and convenience for those unable to attend in person.
People
Sophie Wellings
Chief Executive Officer
Sophie Wellings leads Riverside Counselling Service as CEO, overseeing strategic direction and organisational growth. With extensive mental health leadership experience, she ensures accessible, high-quality counselling services while maintaining financial sustainability and operational excellence.
Emilia McIntyre
Head of Therapeutic Services
Emilia McIntyre directs our therapeutic provision, managing clinical standards and service quality. She oversees counsellor training and professional development, ensuring adherence to ethical frameworks while implementing evidence-based practices across all therapeutic modalities.
James Cracknell OBE
Patron
Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell serves as Riverside's patron, drawing on his personal mental health recovery journey. His advocacy raises awareness about therapeutic support importance, particularly for trauma recovery and neurological injury rehabilitation.
Emma-Jane Taylor
Ambassador
Lifestyle entrepreneur Emma-Jane Taylor advocates for youth mental health as our ambassador. Her work focuses on child protection and wellbeing, promoting early intervention strategies and accessible mental health resources for young people.
Adrian Marsh
Chair of Trustees
Adrian Marsh chairs Riverside's board of trustees, providing governance oversight and strategic leadership. With extensive charity sector experience, he ensures organisational accountability, policy development and clinical governance compliance across all operations.
Questions
What types of counselling do you offer?
We provide psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative psychotherapy approaches through one-to-one sessions, group therapy, and remote options including online and telephone counselling.
How do I book a counselling session?
Contact us via phone or our website to arrange an initial consultation. We'll match you with an appropriate counsellor and schedule sessions at our Henley-on-Thames or Wallingford locations.
What are your session costs?
Sessions cost approximately £50 to deliver, with fees based on household income. Some clients pay as little as £5 weekly through our bursary scheme ensuring accessible mental health support.
Do you offer emergency mental health support?
While we're not an emergency service, we recommend contacting NHS 111 for urgent mental health crises. Our standard sessions address non-acute mental health concerns through scheduled appointments.
Are your counsellors qualified?
All our counsellors hold professional qualifications and work within ethical frameworks. They receive ongoing supervision and training to maintain high clinical standards across all therapeutic approaches.
Can young people access your services?
Yes, our Young People's Service supports ages 12-18 with age-appropriate therapy. We address adolescent mental health challenges through specialised counsellors trained in youth-focused therapeutic techniques.
