Our History

Focus was established in 1999 in the heart of Bath with the visionary aim of responding to the growing need of people needing access to professional and affordable counselling. Since then, Focus has become an established service, meeting the mental health needs of people in Bath, Frome, Wells and the surrounding areas.

Focus works with GP surgeries, drugs and alcohol agencies, churches, housing associations, schools, universities, the police, social services and other counselling agencies and more. We offer counselling to all - children, young people and adults - and have funding available for those individuals on a low income.

We support over 100 clients each week to move forward with their difficulties and our staff numbers over 30 people. We value excellence, so our counsellors are professionally trained to Diploma level or above, and enjoy ongoing supervision and professional development throughout their time at Focus. We also take trainee counsellors each academic year.

Focus has grown into a professional counselling agency and is an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) and we are adhere to BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice and ACC’s Ethics and Practice.

Trustees include

Andrew Stafford (Chair), Simon Heale (Treasurer), Suzy Dewey, Sandi Whitcroft and Pamela Critchley

Management include

Lucia Chadwick (CEO), Philippa Spruit (Practice Manager, Bath), Felicity Newport (Practice Manager, Frome) Sue Marland (Practice Manager, Wells), Gwen Corbet (Office Manager) and Jayne Burgess (Office & Finance Manager).