Starting April, Brixton prisoners will be able to take part in therapy sessions carried out by the Awareness Centre.

In a recent bid, The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust have awarded the Awareness Centre, a contract to provide therapy sessions to HMP Brixton Prison inmates.

HMP Brixton is a male Category C prison for people nearing the end of their sentence, or those serving short term sentences.

Starting in April 2014, TAC will provide a seven person team of trained therapists, who will aid prisoners in adjusting to prison life, as well as preparing them to return to their communities.

Michaela McCarthy, Managing Director of The Awareness Centre, said: “Counsellors from The Awareness Centre will be providing therapeutic support to inmates in Brixton Prison, whether at the start of their sentence or at the end of their time inside, to help prepare them for life on the outside.  This is part of a programme to increase access to psychological therapies for all.”

The bulk of TAC’s work will rely on psychological counselling and therapy, surrounding issues that may affect the prisoner’s mental health.

TAC’s counselling sessions will be available two days a week, and will help prisoners suffering from depression, anxiety, or anger.

The Awareness Centre in Clapham, established in 2005 by McCarthy, offers a range of short-term therapy through the NHS as well as psychotherapy and private sessions.

McCarthy said in the Wandsworth Guardian: “We believe that psychological services should be available for all. We already have 70 counsellors delivering short-term NHS services to patients registered with GP surgeries in Lambeth, helping to reduce waiting lists. We’re delighted to be able to extend our services to Brixton Prison.”