If you’re feeling overwhelmed by a heavy workload, personal responsibilities or anxiety, then you’re not alone. Many chemical and process engineers tell us they feel the same way. We know that it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’ve partnered with Evolve Counselling to help you find the right support.
Evolve is a charitable enterprise, and have been running since the 1970s, providing professional, accessible, counselling sessions for individuals. They provide a fully confidential service for you - offering support on a range of issues that could include; stress, anxiety, depression, life changes, relationship issues, past experiences or trauma as well as self-confidence, health related issues and many more.
Their counsellors are trained in a number of different counselling modalities and will work with you as the client to find the best way forward. By providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for you to speak, you will have the opportunity to explore thoughts, feelings, emotions and the impact that this is having on you.
All of Evolve’s counsellors work with empathy, to understand your situation and point of view, whilst supporting you to find new coping strategies, helping to understand yourself and relationships and process difficult times.
1. Check if you’re eligible
Start by reviewing our eligibility criteria. If you’re unsure, you can always contact us here.
Check if you can apply
2. Check if you meet our financial criteria
If you're in the UK and your income is below the Minimum Income Standard for your circumstances, you’ll qualify for our counselling service. If you're outside of the UK, we'll take your local situation into account when you get in touch.
Use the calculator
3. Get in touch
We aim to get back to you within 7 days to confirm you’re able to access our counselling service. If you qualify, we’ll refer you to Evolve.
Get confidential help
4. Speak with Evolve
Evolve will contact you and complete a short assessment to see what type of support you need.
5. Access your therapy support
You’ll receive up to 6 free and confidential therapy sessions with one of Evolve’s professional therapists.
If you live outside the UK, you may still be able to access counselling sessions remotely. However, some countries have different regulatory requirements for counselling, so we might not always be able to provide support through Evolve Counselling.
If that’s the case, we’ll let you know clearly. We’ll explore other support options with you, like our Health Grant. Wherever you live in the world, we’re your charity.
We take confidentiality seriously. We won’t share your information with third parties without informing you first. As part of our partnership with Evolve we will pass your details onto them so that they can support you. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
Although we work closely with IChemE, the Chemical Engineers Benevolent Fund is a separate charity with its own board of trustees. All requests are stored on separate systems, only accessible by the staff handling your request. We do not share information with employers.
We’re not able to assist with ongoing counselling or therapy sessions with other counselling providers.
Counselling isn’t appropriate for everyone, particularly if your needs are more longstanding or complex. The team at Evolve will explain this to you and signpost you to more a more appropriate source of support.
Evolve’s counsellors are all BACP or UKCP registered or accredited members, meaning that they have a highly regarded level of training from a recognised institute, as well as a great deal of experience working with clients in counselling settings. As a minimum, Evolve counsellors are required to provide evidence of having completed a professional and recognised training course. They also must show that they have completed a minimum of 450 hours of supervised practice during and after the training course. Evolve only recruit qualified and experienced counsellors and do not use trainees in their service.
We define “low income” as someone whose household is below the Minimum Income Standard. If your income is below the Minimum Income Standard for your circumstances, you’ll qualify for our counselling service. You might also qualify for our grants and financial assistance too.