FAQs about our Counselling Service

Starting counselling is a big step towards healing from Honour Based Abuse. Consider whether you’re open to exploring new perspectives, making positive changes, and investing time in self-discovery.

Our referral form assesses risk, but it’s also important to reflect on your own readiness.

At Karma Nirvana, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. Our eligibility criteria ensure that individuals can access counselling safely and without increased risk. While this service may not be suitable for everyone, we always act in your best interests.

To qualify, individuals must:

• Have experience of or be at risk of Honour Based Abuse
• Be female and over 18 years old
• Not be in immediate danger or living with a perpetrator
• Be mentally and emotionally able to engage in counselling
• Not face increased risk by accessing therapy
• Have needs that align with the support we provide

If this service isn’t the right fit, we will guide you toward alternative support options.

To apply, complete our initial application form. This helps us assess your needs and determine if our service is the right fit.

• If you’re self-referring, simply fill out the form.
• If you’re a professional making a referral, we’ll also need your details.

All information is kept confidential and used only for assessment. Please answer as fully and honestly as possible.

• No. Our service is open to both individuals who wish to self-refer, as well as safeguarding professionals referring individuals to this service.

• We know that there are many people seeking therapy, however safeguarding is a key component of all our work at Karma Nirvana. Our eligibility and suitability criteria is designed to protect individuals from further harm or risk.
• While this service may not be suitable for you at this time, we always act in your best interests.
• If your referral does not meet the criteria, you will be notified via email, and we will signpost you to alternative support services.

• No. Our helpline is a separate service and you don’t need to have received helpline support to qualify for the service.
• If you have contacted the helpline before, your counsellor won’t be able to access notes about your previous support.

• Yes. Strict protocols are in place to maintain client confidentiality, while safeguarding measures ensure that any risk of harm is appropriately addressed.

This call will be a online call via our counselling platform at the time and date you selected. Please make sure you take the call in a comfortable, quiet place and somewhere you feel comfortable to talk freely.

During the call, the counsellor will:

• Review your referral details and readiness for counselling
• Discuss confidentiality, safeguarding, and availability
• Answer any questions you may have

This is an opportunity to ensure our service is the right fit for you. If not, we’ll guide you to alternative support options.

• No. This is a free service, which has been made possible by The Caring Family Foundation.

• Our service offers:
  • One-to-one counselling sessions (50 minutes each)

  • 6 sessions as standard, with flexible options

  • Free for victims of HBA or those at risk

  • Delivered online

  • A trauma-informed, person-centred approach focusing on emotional well-being and recovery from trauma.

• No. Sessions are delivered remotely using a secure online platform.

The service cannot be used for:

• Crisis intervention
• Legal or casework support
• Specialist mental health treatment

Clients requiring these services will be referred to appropriate providers.

The screening process is as follows:

1. Initial Review: Your application will be reviewed within 7 working days.
2. Assessment: The screening team will assess your eligibility and suitability.
3. Initial Session: If eligible, you will need to create your counselling account and book your initial counselling call.
4. Waiting List: You may be placed on a waiting list depending on capacity. If so, you’ll be given an estimated wait time and checked in periodically.
5. Referral Outcome: If you do not meet the criteria, you’ll be notified by email and signposted to alternative support services.

• You may be placed on a waiting list depending on our capacity.
• If so, we will provide an estimated wait time and check in periodically to confirm your interest.

• We may close our applications to manage our capacity for this service.
• If our applications are closed, please review alternative services that may be suitable, or check our website at a later date.

• Your application will be reviewed within 7 working days of receiving your form.
• Please check to make sure you have received a notification email from us confirming you have submitted the form.
• Please make sure to check your spam and junk folders for any emails from the team.
• If you have confirmed you’ve not heard from us, please contact us.

• Each session will last for 50 minutes
• Please ensure you are on time for your appointments
• Please make sure you take the call in a comfortable, quiet place and somewhere you feel comfortable to talk freely.

• During the process, your counsellor will determine if more sessions are needed and if additional support can be accommodated to allow for additional sessions.
• This is done on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this with your counsellor if you think you need more support.

• Your counsellor will support you through the process, and please ask your counsellor if you have any particular concerns about this.
• When your counselling comes to an end, you will receive a post counselling evaluation where you can give feedback about the service, as well as details for further support services you may find useful.

• You may cancel up to 48 hours before your scheduled appointment time.
• Please note that cancelling within 48 hours on more than one occasion may result in your place being moved to the waiting list or removal from the service, in order to ensure fairness for others waiting to access support.

No, you do not have to have your camera on for sessions.

Karma Nirvana values your comfort, and it’s entirely up to you whether you choose to have your camera on or off. Your choice won’t affect your access to the service.

If there are technical issues or a Wi-Fi disconnection, the session can continue via phone, and your counsellor will make efforts to reconnect securely. If technical issues persist, your counsellor will explore alternative solutions with you.

• All counsellors are trained and accredited by a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists practising in the United Kingdom, ensuring they meet the high standards expected in the provision of therapeutic support.
• We are a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
  • Membership number: 00276810
• Furthermore, our counsellors are trained by Karma Nirvana to ensure they understand HBA, and the unique challenges faced by survivors and victims.
• At Karma Nirvana, we understand that leaving HBA is not just about physical safety – it’s also about healing from the emotional and psychological impact of these experiences.
• This service aims to provide a safe and supportive space where survivors of HBA can access trauma-informed therapy, allowing for individuals to process the impact of their experiences, rebuild their emotional and mental well-being and gain the tools they need to move forward.
• Our counselling service offers confidential, trauma-informed support tailored to the unique challenges faced by those impacted by HBA

• If clients are not happy with any of our sessions or the standard of the service, we hope that you would feel able to talk to your counsellor about this.
• Complaints must be submitted in writing and will be acknowledged within five working days. A senior team member will investigate and respond within 20 working days. If unsatisfied, you may escalate the complaint per Karma Nirvana’s policy. Mediation may be offered where appropriate.