About Network

Network was established in Bristol in 1986 with two aims: the provision of affordable counselling for all, and the training and development of new counsellors. 

We were originally founded by Christians who had a strong faith in the fundamental worth of all human beings and the belief that everybody has the capacity for learning, growth, change and new beginnings.

Today we continue to hold our ethos and values at the heart of what we do and to recognise and work with the spiritual aspect of human experience.

Counselling changes lives. At Network, we want to put good quality counselling within the grasp of as many people as we can.

Mat Ray, Chief Executive

Over the years Network’s counsellors have supported over 10,000 clients to move forward in their lives. We have trained hundreds of counsellors who have gone on to work within the NHS, other agencies, or as private practitioners. Some of Bristol’s most experienced counsellors have trained with Network. 

Today Network is a highly professional counselling and training service.  We are an organisational member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and our counsellors, supervisors, trainers and students are bound by BACP’s Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Network’s purpose

To promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being in the context of a Christian ethos by:

  • providing professional counselling and related services on an affordable basis;
  • providing a range of educational and training opportunities in counselling and other related areas;
  • providing other opportunities for personal, psychological and spiritual development.

Meet our people