Why Choose Us?
Choosing HTC enables you to access high quality individual or group therapy with a therapist committed to making therapy accessible to all.
Business Services
We provide a range of professional services from Employee Assistance Programmes to Clinical Supervision for practitioners.
Group Therapy
Saturday morning spaces available for Luiza Machado's group. Click below for more information.
Our Story
Hastings Therapy Centre (HTC) is a new social enterprise in the heart of Hastings offering mainstream and low-cost therapy services to the local community. It is part of registered charity, Brighton Therapy Centre (BTC), which has been such a success in the city of Brighton that we wanted Hastings to have one too!
Known internationally for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Brighton & Hove attracts individuals from LGBTQ+ and BAME communities who contribute to its vibrant and creative culture. However, the region’s suicide and self-harm rates are significantly higher than the national average and it continues to be ranked within the most deprived 15% of the UK’s Index of Multiple Deprivation. The Chief Medical Officer’s 2021 annual report highlights the substantially higher burden of physical and mental health conditions in coastal communities, and we were so struck by the findings of this report, which identified nearby Hastings & Rye as the most deprived constituency in the county of Sussex, that we opened a second centre here.
Hastings is the 13th most deprived local authority out of the 317 local authorities analysed in the 2019 English Indices of Deprivation and has some of the highest rates for self-harm and suicide in the country. The CGG reports that 1 in 5 Hastings adults are estimated to have a common mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression, and it is an official Home Office dispersal region for asylum seekers and refugees with about 120 occupying bed spaces in Hastings and another 200 between two contingency hotels in Eastbourne and Hastings. Many of these are experiencing severe mental illness as result of traumatic experiences of torture, rape and the murder of loved ones. Despite the well evidenced need for mental health support there is a severe shortage of services in the area.
We have started small with 3 therapy rooms in the centre of town from where we will offer a mix of mainstream therapy and low-cost services. With the support of the community and external funding, we hope to grow to meet the needs of our community and look forward to working in partnership with other local services.
What We Do
We are a not-for-profit organisation providing counselling, talking therapies and coaching for individuals, couples, families, young people and local businesses who are seeking mental health and well-being support.
We are proud of our team of highly specialised and qualified therapists who have vast experience in dealing with a whole range of psychological and emotional issues. As a registered charity, we use any surplus generated from our mainstream work and fundraising activities to support individuals financially to enable them to access professional therapy that they would not otherwise be able to afford.
We operate an equal opportunities policy to ensure that therapy can be accessed by all members of our local community, and we welcome those from diverse backgrounds. We provide services in person, online and by telephone.
Our Vision
To make quality psychological therapies accessible to all.
Our Mission
To provide a wide choice of high-quality psychological therapies to all.
We are committed to meeting the needs of underrepresented or difficult-to-reach groups who find it harder to access therapeutic services. We are joined in our mission by our practitioner team and others who choose to work or volunteer for HTC and by our full fee-paying clients who, in using our services, are contributing financially to our charitable work.
Our Values
Integrity. Inclusivity. Compassion. Excellence.
Our Aims
- To create centres of clinical excellence that are informed by our commitment to inclusivity, the advancement of best practice and expertise in areas of specialism, including trauma-informed approaches.
- To help individuals in our communities improve their emotional well-being and quality of life by working with them to help them learn strategies to maintain their own mental wellness and to prevent relapse.
- To improve access with our no-cost and low-cost programs to ensure that people can receive appropriate, effective psychological therapies, regardless of their economic status.
- To reach out to those who because of their religion, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, political or economic status, or for other reasons, may find it more difficult to access services.
- To facilitate a practitioner learning community through the provision of clinical supervision, reflective practice and training opportunities.
- To involve service users, staff and other stakeholders in the development and improvement of our services.
- To grow and develop the HTC model to reach other communities in need.
Testimonials
"My therapist gave me the perfect combination of empathy, space to release and process trauma, and practical tools to use in everyday life. I feel transformed by the process, in ways that I never expected."
"I can't express how grateful I am to have received the help and care that I received and how much better I am able to view myself and my circumstances."
"Drastically improved my ability to cope in a relatively short amount of time, and improved my perspective."
Why Choose Us?
We would like to welcome you to Hastings Therapy Centre, where we prioritise inclusivity.
We offer in-depth initial consultations in order to find the right type of therapy for your individual requirements and aim to match you with a suitable therapist within 2 weeks.
Bespoke
At HTC, we aim to find the best therapy fit for you.
After your initial consultation with one of our experienced practitioners, we will consider your needs, budget and availability and make our recommendation. Whether it’s long term psychotherapy, short term CBT or a therapeutic group, our wide range of services enables us to help you find the approach that suits you best.
Inclusive
Therapy can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives and we believe it should be accessible for everyone, whatever your history, ethnicity, age, budget and however you identify.
Because we are a registered charity, our profits go directly towards providing low cost therapy for those who would not otherwise be able to afford it. When you choose HTC, you also choose the ethical alternative.
Professional
Our commitment to clinical excellence ensures that our practitioners are highly qualified and experienced.
We support the wellbeing and professional development of our practitioners by providing regular supervision and training, and we work in accordance with NHS and NICE guidelines.