Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is based on the core idea that talking about the things that are bothering you can help clarify them and put them in perspective.

There are various forms of talk therapy, the Friendship Bench focuses on the evidence based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which focuses on problem solving sherapy and behavioural activation.

Problem-solving therapy works by teaching people skills to help them take a more active role in their lives, taking more initiative, and utilizing whatever influence they have to effectively make decisions and achieve their goals. By using this treatment approach with one specific problem, people learn to apply it to any other problem they may face, empowering them to face difficulties more independently. As these skills are repeatedly practice, clients often report an increased sense of confidence and agency in many aspects of their lives.

• No one will give you answers, we believe you know yourself better than anyone and your solutions are uniquely individual.

• We are here to guide and support you in the process of exploring solutions, not give you advice or solve problems for you.

• Change takes time and action. You will not find change without putting in conscious work.

• The Friendship Bench talk therapy sessions are based on the Problem Solving Therapy approach

• We suggest people have 3 or more sessions with a peer counsellor

• The first session is usually the longest, lasting about 50-60 minutes, subsequent sessions can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 60 minutes

• All sessions are confidential unless a counsellor requests permission to record a session

• Clients can remain anonymous, it is not compulsory to give us your name on booking

• All sessions are free

1. The adoption of an adaptive worldview / orientation towards living. E.g. positive self-efficacy, optimism, acceptance that problems will occur but can be overcome.

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2. The effective implementation of specific problem-solving steps and behaviors. E.g. planful problem solving, and emotional regualtion and management.

All therapy sessions are free of charge.

All Friendship Bench peer counsellors & Friendship Bench Buddies have been trained by the Friendship Bench clinical team in the evidence based Problem Solving Therapy approach.

The training is held over 8 days following a manual that has been developed by clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health professionals and the Friendship Bench Grandmothers!

All Friendship Bench peer counsellors & Friendship Bench Buddies have completed post training evaluations, and attend weekly supervision sessions with the Clinical Team.

All Friendship Bench peer counsellors & Friendship Bench Buddies are bound by confidentiality.

You can remain anonymous when you make a booking (or give a nick name).

We do encourage clients to share their name or nick name with their assigned peer counsellors so that it makes it easier to talk to one another. Part of getting help is building a relationship based on trust; this is both the trust from a clients side that the peer counsellor will protect their right to privacy as well as trust from the peer counsellor that clients share openly and honestly.