our services

Options For Change is the newest division in the range 'of services under the umbrella of Solent Addictions Trust. Whilst the trust had previously focussed on services for the individual and family, Options For Change is aimed at commercial organisations, statutory and public services, charitable and non statutory services, and employers generally.

Options For Change seek to provide employers with help in developing workplace policies and also provide help and support to both managers and employees.

Employers today are beset by increasing demands to have the correct policy and procedures in place, to ensure that they are known and adhered to by all staff and to know what to do when and how if there appears to be a breach of any such policy.

Example: You have a team leader age 40 years, always very smart and well turned out, he has been with the company for 20 years, has an excellent work record, is liked and respected by both staff and other managers; But a change is noticed - he appears to suffer from highs and lows, looks tired, becomes more introverted, snaps and is short with his staff. He is late for meetings and misses deadlines. He has been warned by his manager who is now struggling to understand the behaviour, and in the absence of any obvious explanation is unsure of how to proceed but is considering disciplinary action. Some possible causes; domestic problems stress drinking too much health worries financial problems It could be any one or a combination of these. Options For Change will provide training for all managers in the early identification of a range of problems in the workplace and how best to deal with them, and will also provide counselling, help and support for the team leader to help him/her resolve their issues and problems. In the example shown above, the problem was gambling. The team leader had got hooked on dog racing. A difficult problem - as they all are - but working with Options For Change skilled counselling staff will ensure a satisfactory outcome for the team leader - and his employer - who will have retained a good team leader who would have been difficult and expensive to replace.

From our pool of experienced counsellors and trainers, we are able to offer a wide range of counselling, support and training for managers and their staff, either in-house or at our premises, including:-

	relationships in the workplace
	how to recognise & manage stress
	how to embrace change
	basic counselling skills for managers
	listening skills
	anger management
	assertiveness in the workplace
	personal development
	life coaching
	drugs and alcohol awareness
	Identification & management of substance misuse
	gambling issues
	loss, bereavement and redundancy
...or any issue that is specific to your organisation

Part of our service is to offer organisations guidance and support in preparing their own policies for substance misuse in the workplace.  Alternatively, we are happy to write a policy specific to the needs of each organisation or charity.

Personal one-to-one counselling is available in-house or at our premises in Basingstoke, Lymington and Southampton (or another location by arrangement), and will be provided by our experienced and skilled counsellors.  Confidentiality will be adhered to at all times in accordance with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Code of Standards and Ethics, and the content of each session will be between the counsellor and the client.   To use this service to its best advantage, regular sessions are recommended - usually 4 - 6 sessions to start with, although more may be required depending on the circumstances. It may be possible that one or two sessions will clarify a particular issue and empower the client to make necessary changes to enhance his/her life and work.

If you feel your organisation could benefit from our service or would like further details, please ring 0800 0184 309, or write or contact us by email. 

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