A GROUP of therapeutic counsellors has been formed in the Okehampton area to provide a safe, reliable counselling option for patients wishing to seek help outside the NHS. The group has liaised with GPs at Okehampton Medical Centre in establishing the private service and can offer help with issues ranging from relationship problems to anxiety, bereavement, and addictions. The three therapists, who have joined to form Okehampton and Dartmoor Counsellors, are Trevor Munkenbeck, Sorrel Scott and Shona Ware, who between them have more than 30 years' experience of counselling for the NHS and various youth and addiction services. Trevor Munkenbeck said: 'Private counselling has always been available but it can be difficult for people to choose who to see when faced with a confusing array of qualifications and varying levels of experience. 'Currently, there is no regulation governing who can practice.' The University of Exeter is also seeking anybody affected by depression to take part in a new study to investigate self-help treatments. Psychologist Dr Edward Watkins of the university's Mood Disorders Centre is inviting people who are affected by depressed moods to try the new psychological treatments which the centre is investigating — including people whose depression has not yet been diagnosed as such. For more information on the study call 01392 264645, and to contact the Okehampton and Dartmoor Counsellors call 01837 52957.
