Local counselling services

Samaritans Central London:

Central London Samaritans offers emotional support by phone, email, webchat and face-to-face. No appointment needed and site is wheelchair accessible.

Available to: People of all ages

Contact details:
Tel: (call free) 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Address: 13 Salisbury Place, London W1H 1FJ

Opening hours: 9am to 9pm (365 days a year)

Hestia Islington Recovery Cafe

Recovery workers present to support with managing mental health crisis, and therapeutic activities such as arts and crafts are available. Drop-ins, no appointment needed.

Available to: People of all ages

Contact details:
Tel.: 07384 117 241
Email: Islington.RecoveryCafe@hestia.org
Address:
Islington Recovery Cafe,
Elfrida Society,
34 Islington Park Street,
London,
N1 1PX

Post Adoption Centre (PAC)

PAC-UK offers a wide range of services to adopters and permanent carers throughout the country (Specialist therapy; advice; support; counselling & training).

Available to: Birth Parents, Adopted Adults (over 22), Prospective Adopters (during the assessment or matching phase of adoption), Special guardians/ Special Guardian Birth Parents.

Contact details: 
Tel.: 0300 1800 090 [Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00am-4.00pm and Thursday 10.00am-7.30pm (excluding bank holidays)]
Email: advice@pac-uk.org
Address: Family Action Head Office, 34 Wharf Road, London, N1 7GR

Duration: Up to 6 sessions weekly, fortnightly, monthly

Referral method: Self/ Health professional via Telephone/ Email/ Filling in form: https://www.pac-uk.org/our-services/referral/

Fee: Free of charge

Update 29.09.25: Waiting time for allocation approx. 6 weeks

Camden, City, Islington & Westminster Bereavement Service (CCIWBS)
Bereavement counselling for individuals who are registered with a GP in Camden or Islington. 

• Individual counselling support
  Referrals are accepted once six months have passed since the most recent death. There is no upper time limit and we accept referrals no matter how long ago the death was.
  Length of sessions: 10/12 weeks, 50 minute weekly sessions
• Early bereavement support for people processing their thoughts and emotions after a sudden and unexpected or traumatic death
  Refer in the first three months after the death.
  Length of sessions: 3 sessions, 50 minutes, weekly, same day and time
• Bereavement group counselling
  Referrals accepted once 12 months have passed since the most recent death.
  Length of sessions: 2.5 hours, 8 weeks

Contact details:
Email: admin@cciwbs.org.uk
Tel.: 0207 284 0090

Referral method: Self or via professional (eg. social worker, GP etc.). Referrals should be made directly by filling in the form on the website

Fee: Funded (free) service for clients with a GP in Camden or Islington, donations and voluntary contributions are welcome.
Clients with a GP outside of Camden/Islington can be referred for our low-cost contributions service (min £15 per session depending on financial status).

Update 30.09.25: Waiting time approx 6-8 weeks (Remote counselling- 3 to 4 months from assessment)

Claremont Psychotherapy Service, bereavement Service

Low-cost psychotherapy service using existential phenomenological approach 

Contact details:
Tel.: 020 7837 3402
Address: 24-27 White Lion Street, London N1 9PD

Length of sessions: 6 weekly sessions, 50 minutes

Referral method: Formal referral is not required although GP may recommend.
Contact Rhianna Sahota (Manager for Psychotherapy Services) for more information on this psychotherapy service
(Tel.: 020 7689 8091
Email: rhianna@claremont-project.org)

Fee: £10-30 per session

Grief Encounter

Supports children, young people and families who are experiencing mild to moderate difficulties caused by the death of someone close, through 1:1 support, support group, creative therapies, etc.

Available to:
Children and young people (4-25 year olds) in England or Wales.

• Be at least 4 months bereaved (referrals can be submitted at any time)
• Have a gap of at least 3 months since taking part in any other therapeutic support

Contact details:
Tel.: 0800 802 0111 (Open weekdays 9:30am- 3pm)
Email: bereavementsupport@griefencounter.org.uk (Email with name, number, and best time to call to speak to Bereavement Support Team)
Address:
London Therapy Centre
Crystal House
Daws Lane
London NW7 4ST
(020 8371 8455
contact@griefencounter.org.uk)

Length of sessions: Unknown
Location of sessions:
Remote (depending on child’s age, recommended 9 years old)
Face to face in centre or in schools (4 years old and above)

Referral method: Self/ healthcare professional via telephone/ email

Fee: Free for children

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service (JBCS)

Psychodynamic – Counselling available for the Jewish community.

Contact details: 
Tel.:
020 8951 3881
Email:
enquiries@jbcs.org.uk
Address:
PO Box 875, Edgware, HA8 4WX

Length of sessions: 50min p/w, varied number of sessions.

Referral method: Self https://jbcs.org.uk/contact/

Fee: Voluntary contribution.

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)

Support groups led by volunteer befrienders who have all experienced a neonatal death or stillbirth. All have been trained by SANDS. Groups meet once per month.

Contact:
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Tel: (Helpline): 0808 164 3332
(General enquiries): 020 7436 7940/ 020 3897 6094

Length: Unlimited
Referral: Self
Fee: Free

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Helpline or email support service, for anyone affected by bereavement by suicide (18+ only).
Access to virtual groups, community forums support.

Contact:
Email: email.support@uksobs.org
Tel: 0300 111 5065 (Everyday 9am-7pm)

Length: Unlimited
Referral: Self
Fee: Free

The Compassionate Friends

Helpline for bereaved parents and their families.

Contact:
Email: helpline@tcf.org.uk
Tel: 0345 123 2304 (Open everyday 10am-4pm, 7pm-10pm)

Length: Unlimited
Referral: Self
Fee: Free

The Loss Foundation

Provides bereavement support following the loss of a loved one to cancer: support groups, therapy groups, social events, weekend retreats, and how to support others.

Contact:
Email: hello@thelossfoundation.org
Tel: 0300 200 4112

Length: Unknown
Referral: Self
Fee: Unknown

Suicide and Co.

A charity which provides free counselling and support for those who have been bereaved by suicide.

Contact:
Email: support@suicideandco.org 
Tel (Helpline): 0800 054 8400 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Length: Up to 12 sessions
Referral: Self  Counselling Service Applicant Form | Self-Referral — Suicide&Co
Fee: Free

Accept Consortium

Accept is a consortium of three leading community-based psychotherapy and counselling agencies operating in Islington- Nafsiyat, The Maya Centre, Camden, City, Islington, Westminster Bereavement Service (CCIWBS).

Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre

Email: admin@nafsiyat.org.uk
Tel: 020 7263 6947

The Maya Centre

Email: admin@mayacentre.org.uk
Tel: 0207 272 0995

Camden, City, Islington & Westminster Bereavement Service (CCIWBS)

Email: admin@cciwbs.org.uk
Tel: 0207 284 0090

Asian Family Counselling Service (AFCS)

All members of the South Asian community above the age of 16 years old. Will also see couples where one partner is Asian. Counselling in Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and English can be provided.

Contact:
Email: admin@asianfamily.co.uk
Tel: 020 8674 0912 (Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Length: 6-12 sessions
Referral: Self or professional
Fee: £20 for individual; £40 for couples counselling; £60 for family counselling

(Update 11.2025): Waiting list 8-12 weeks

Meridian Wellbeing

Support for low mood, anxiety, common mental health problems. Therapy offered in English, Mandarin, Cantonese.

Contact:
Email: info@meridianwellbeing.com
Tel: 020 7613 1008

Length: Up to 10 sessions
Referral: Self or professional
Fee: Low cost

Derman

Offering support for adult (16+) Kurdish, Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Eastern European Turkish immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees residing in a London borough, mainly Hackney.

Available to: 16+, registered with a GP in Hackney

Contact:
Email: talkingtherapies@derman.org.uk
Tel: 0207 613 5944

Length: 6-12 sessions
Referral: Self or Professional (referral form on their website, email to talkingtherapies@derman.org.uk)
Fee: Free

(icap) Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy

Supporting people from the Irish communities who have suffered trauma (particularly in childhood) which is affecting their adult lives.

Contact:
Email: info@icap.org.uk
Tel: 0207 272 7906 (Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Address: 96 Moray Road, London N4 3LA

Referral: Self- download form on website, email to referrals@icap.org.uk
Length: Unknown
Fee: Unknown

IMECE Women’s Centre

Turkish women who are refugees (18+)

Contact: 
Tel: 0207 354 1359 (Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm. Closed for lunch 1pm-2pm)
Email: counselling@imece.org.uk

Referral: Self or professional (referral form online)
Length: Varies (6-20)
Fee: Free

Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS)

We offer Latin American migrant women (16+) living in Greater London a safe and confidential space to find safety and rebuild their lives, through individual psychotherapy sessions in Spanish and Portuguese with a feminist and culturally sensitive approach.

Contact:
Email: counsellingreferrals@lawrs.org.uk
Tel: 0808 145 4909 (Tue-Fri 11am-1pm)

Referral: Self
Length: unknown
Fee: unknown

Nafsiyat Intercultural Therapy Centre

Nafsiyat offers short-term intercultural therapy to people from diverse backgrounds who live in Islington, Enfield, Camden and Haringey. We provide therapy and women’s groups in over 20 languages. 

Contact:
Email: admin@nafsiyat.org.uk
Tel: 020 7263 6947

Referral: Self-referral or professional referrals
Referral forms online (no drop-in sessions)
Length: 6 or 12 sessions offered
Fee: Free

(Update 11.2025): Waiting list 4-6 weeks for assessment. For Turkish speakers, this could be up to 3 months due to capacity.

Naz: (Sexual health for everyone):

Naz is a BAME led agency that supports for the complexities arising due to their identities be it ethnic, gender, sexual and relational, or immigration status 

Contact:
Tel: 0208 741 1879
Email: sanjay@naz.org.uk

Room to Heal

Therapy for preparing new members to join the Room to Heal community and to address enduring post-traumatic symptoms where appropriate.

Contact:
Email: info@roomtoheal.org

Referral: Self-referral (please see website)
Length: Short term
Fee: Free

The Refugee Therapy Centre

Refugees, Asylum Seekers

Contact:
Email: officeadmin@refugeetherapy.org.uk
Tel: 07828 049099

Referral: Professional referrals and self-referrals. Self-referrals can be made by telephone call (Mon-Fri, 9am- 6pm; Wed, 11am-8pm)
Or fill in referral from online
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

Kurdish Middle East Women Organisation (KMEWO)

Counselling for survivors of domestic abuse and harmful practices. Offered in: 
Kurdish Sorani, Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Farsi, English

Contact: 
Email: referrals@kmewo.com 
Tel: 020 7263 1027
Address: Caxton House
129 St. John’s Way
London
N19 3RQ

Length: 14 sessions
Fee: Free
Referral: Self- form on website

Action for Blind People

For adults with sight loss and their family members in London

Contact details:
Tel.: 
0303 123 9999
Email:
helpline@rnib.org.uk

Referral method: Self
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

Changing Faces

Changing Faces supports people who have any condition or injury that affects their appearance, anywhere in the UK

Contact details: 
Tel.: 
0300 012 0275
Email:
info@changingfaces.org.uk

Referral method: Self
Length: up to 12 weeks
Cost: Unknown

Sign Health – the Deaf Health Charity

BSL Healthy Minds
Therapy for Deaf people with depression, anxiety or similar disorders.

Contact details:
Tel.: 07966 976747
Email: 
therapies@signhealth.org.uk

Referral method: Self or via GP

Length: Unknown
Fee: Free (Contacted with the NHS through a number of different routes)

Access Counselling

Online therapy for women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

Contact details:
Tel: 0121 2469348
Email: Using contact form on website https://accesscounselling.org.uk/#contact

Referral method: Self
Length: Flexible – short and long term
Fee: Case-by-case basis

UK SAYS NO MORE

Online safe spaces for people struggling with domestic abuse and sexual violence issues.

Referral: Access website to join

Solace Women’s Aid

Free advice and support to women and children in London who have experienced sexual/domestic violence.

Contact details:
Tel.: 0808 802 5565
Email:advice@solacewomensaid.org

Referral method: Self or professional

Length: Unknown

Fee: Free

Better Lives, Islington

Providing emotional, practical, and therapeutic support to adults and children being affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use.

Contact: (Opening hours: 10am-6pm Mon-Fri, *Thursday 10am-7pm)
Tel.: 0203 317 7437
Email: Nlft.blfamilyreferrals@nhs.net
Address: 28b King Henry’s Walk, Mildmay Ward, London N1 4PB

Referral method: Self and health professional referral via drop-in or appointment

Length: Unknown

Fee: Free

Choices Islington

Women facing unplanned pregnancy or troubled by pregnancy or child loss issues (post abortion, adoption support)

Contact: (10am-5pm, Mon-Thurs)
Tel.: 020 7700 4475
Email:info@choicesislington.org
Address: 390 Caledonian Road,
London, N1 1DN (Opening hours for appointments: Tues and Weds, 10am-5pm)

Referral method: Self-referrals / Professional-referrals

Length: Unknown

Fee: Free

Maple Service

Offering support to people experiencing emotional distress or symptoms of trauma, related to fertility, pregnancy, birth or perinatal loss.

Contact:
Tel.: 020 3317 7114
Email: NCL.perinatal@candi.nhs.uk
Address: 1st Floor West Wing, 4 St Pancras Hospital, NW1 0PE

Referral method: Self referral

Length: Variable

Fee: Free

Crisis Skylight London Centre

For over 16s who are homeless, or immediately are at risk of becoming homeless.

Contact details:
Email:
london@crisis.org.uk
Address: 
50-52 Commercial Street
London
E1 6LT

Referral method: Self
Length: Unknown
Fee: Unknown

Depaul UK: Mind Connect

To help young people aged between 11-25, who are homeless or at risk of being homeless understand their feelings and build resilience. 

Contact:
Tel: 0800 160 1650
Address: Sherborne house, 34 Decima Street, London, SE1 4QQ

Referral: Self or professional via phone
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

Alzheimer’s Society Islington

People with dementia/ Carers – speak to friendly experts on our Helpline, talk to others affected by dementia on our online forum, and get face-to-face support at one of our community-based services.

Contact:
Email:
islington@alzheimers.org.uk

Referral: unknown
Length: unknown
Fee: unknown

Living Well CIC

Counselling for people living with HIV 

Contact:
Email: info@livingwellicic.com
Tel: 020 3137 3373

Referral: Self or professional referral form on website
Length: Unknown
Fee: Free

Terence Higgins Trust

Anyone affected by HIV; relationships; drugs and alcohol; life changes and transitions; issues around gender identity (not an exhaustive list). 

Contact:
Email:
info.counselling@tht.org.uk
Tel: 0808 802 1221 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm)
Address: Terence Higgins Trust, 439 Caledonian Road, London, N7 9BG

Referral: Self
Length: Unknown
Fee: £80. Vary per income level for people living with HIV

Cherry Lodge Cancer Care:

Counselling designed to help people cope with the psychological and emotional problems commonly associated with a diagnosis of cancer and treatment of the disease.

Contact: 
Email: karen@cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
Tel: 020 8441 7000
Address:
Cherry Lodge Cancer Care
Howard House
23 Union Street
Barnet
Herts
EN5 4HY

Referral: Self
Length: unknown
Fee: Free

Women in prison

Women 18+ living in greater London (or due to be released to greater London) Borough.

Contact:
Email:
info@wipuk.org
Tel: 0207 359 6674

Referral: Self
Duration: Varies
Fee: Unknown

One in Four

People (18+) who have experience of sexual abuse or sexual/domestic violence as a child (not current) 

Contact:
Email: admin@oneinfour.org.uk
Tel: 0208 697 2112
Address: 8 Manor Gardens, N7 6LA

Referral: Self or professional
Length: Varies
Fee: £20-£75 on a sliding scale based on income.

Survivors UK:

Supports male survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence, age 13 and over. They provide counselling and online chat support. 

Contact:
Tel: 0203 598 3898
Email: counsellingteam@survivorsuk.org 

Referral: SurvivorsUK | Self Referral Form
Length: Max 6 months
Fee: Free

The Survivors’ Trust

Offers free telephone helpline and live online chat services supporting people aged 16+ who have experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence.

Helpline: 08088 010818

(Opening hours):
Monday – Thursday: 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm & 6pm-8pm
Friday: 10am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm
Saturday: 10am – 12.30pm
Sunday: 6pm – 8pm
Bank holidays: 10am – 12.30pm

Email: helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org

Referral: Self
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

CliniQ

Holistic sexual health, mental health and wellbeing service for all trans, non-binary and gender diverse people, partners and friends.

Contact:
Email: mentoring@cliniq.org.uk

Referral: Self-referral
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

Islington Mind (Outcome)

Islington Mind’s LGBTQI+ specialist service, run by LGBTQI people with LGBTQI people. Offering free therapy to trans and non-binary people, young LGBTQI+ people, and asylum seekers and refugees.

Contact:
Tel: 020 7272 5038
Email: outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk

Referral: Self-referral
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

London Friend

One-to-one counselling sessions to LGBTQI people and for those who may be questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. What you bring to counselling may or may not be LGBTQI related.

Contact:
Email: counselling@londonfriend.org.uk
Phone: 020 7833 1674

Referral: Self-referral
Length: Up to 12 sessions
Fee: Means assessed

Update (08.2025):  Waiting list is currently around 4-5 months. You may wish to access our coming out or social groups whilst you are waiting.

Naz (Sexual health for everyone)

Naz is a BAME led agency that supports individuals with any sexual health inequalities.  They offer remote counselling sessions via phone or online.

Contact:
Phone: 0208 741 1879
Email: sanjay@naz.org.uk

Referral: Self
Length: Up to 12 sessions
Fee: Free/ Low cost

Pink Therapy

A directory of qualified and experienced therapists in private practice who work with a sexuality and gender affirmative stance.

Referral: Self
Length: Varies
Fee: Varies

Maya Centre

Women over 18 on benefit level income, living or working or have a significant connection to Islington (although check on referral as some spaces available to residents in North London). Counselling offered for 13 different languages. 

Contact:
Email: admin@mayacentre.org.uk
Tel: 0207 281 8970
Address:
Unit 8, 9-15
Elthorne Road,
London
N19 4AJ
(Opening hours): Mon- Fri 9:30am-5:30pm. (Tues 9:30am-8:30pm)

Referral: Self or professional
Length: Between 10 and 22 sessions
Fee: Free

(Update 11.2025):  3-6 months waiting list

Women’s Trust

Free counselling for women, including young women (16-18) who have experienced domestic abuse or abusive relationships.

Contact: 
Email: office@womenstrust.org.uk
Tel: 0207 034 0303

Referral: Self or professional
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

(Update 11.2025):
Referrals currently only open for the following Westminster wards:
Harrow Road
Hyde Park
Paddington
Queen’s Park
Westbourne
Ealing (postcodes: W5, W7, W13 only)

Depaul UK, Mind Connect London

To help young people aged between 11-25, who are homeless or at risk of being homeless understand their feelings and build resilience. 

Contact:
Tel: 0800 160 1650

Referral: Self or professional via phone
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

The Brandon Centre:

One-to-one weekly psychotherapy offered for young people aged 16-24 (up until one’s 25th birthday) and live in London. 

Contact:
Tel: 020 7267 1321
Email: counselling@brandoncentre.org.uk

Referral: Self or professional
Length: up to 16 sessions
Fee: Free

Update 11.2025:  Waiting list 12 months.

Brook

Counselling for young people aged 24 years old and under

Contact:
Tel: 020 7387 8700
Email: euston@brook.org.uk
Address: 92-94 Chalton Street, London, Greater London, NW1 1HJ

Referral: Self or professional
Length: up to 6 sessions
Fee: Free

Childline

Confidential support 24/7 through phone, online chat, and email for children and young people up to the age of 19 years old. 

Contact:
Tel: 0800 1111

Referral: Self
Length: Unlimited
Fee: Free

TYS Youth Counselling Service

This free confidential service has been set up by Islington Council to provide help and support to young people aged 12-21 who live, study or work in Islington.

Contact:
Email: afra.bell@islington.gov.uk 
Tel: 
020 7527 5013 or 07825 098 200

Referral: Self/ Professional
Length: Up to 12 sessions
Fee: Free

LIFT Mind Connect Islington:

Mind Connect offers a free confidential talking therapy service for young people aged 16-25 year olds. 

Contact:
Email:   alsmindconnect@depaulcharity.org.uk

Referral: Self
Length: Up to 12 sessions
Fee: Free

Family Action

Free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships – including siblings – conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.

Contact: 
Email:
info@family-action.org.uk
Tel: 0808 802 6666 (Mon-Fri, 9am – 7pm)

Referral: Self
Length: unknown
Fee: Free

Bright Futures, Early help 5-19

Islington
Families who have a child between the ages of 5 and 19, who live in Islington or are temporarily housed in another borough.

Contact:
Email: bright.futures@islington.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7527 4343

Referral: Self via phone/ email. Professionals to request form available on CSCT team csctreferrals@islington.gov.uk
Length: Varies
Fee: Free

Institute of Family Therapy

Couples, families and other relationship groups who are finding relationships problematic (any age)

Contact:
Tel: 0207 391 9150
Email: therapy@ift.org.uk

Referral: Self or professional
Length: Varies
Fee: Sliding scale

The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships

Relationship counselling, psychotherapy and psychosexual appointments offered for individual and couples.

Contact:
Tel.: 020 7380 1975
Address:
City Wellbeing Centre, 75 Middlesex St, London E1 7EZ

Length of sessions: Varies

Referral method: Self via website/ call

Fee: Payment on a sliding scale based on income. Non-refundable deposit of 50 pounds.

Update 11.2024: Initial assessment can be done in a week. Waiting list 2 – 6 months.

Bet know more

A UK charity which supports individual with gambling harms. They provide varied services such as community outreach, peer support and help for women.

Referral: Self (Forms on website)

Derman

Offering gambling support for adult (16+) Kurdish, Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Eastern European Turkish immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees residing in a London borough.

Contact:
Email: services@derman.org.uk
Tel: 0207 613 5944

Referral: Self or Professional (referral form on their website).
Length: 6-12 sessions
Fee: Free

Language Counselling for Refugees & Asylum Seekers | Waterloo Community Counselling (waterloocc.co.uk)

Free counselling sessions to migrants and refugees and asylum seekers, up to 23 different languages.

Contact:
Address:
Waterloo Community Counselling
Barley Mow Clinic
Greet House
Frazier Street
London SE1 7BD

Tel: 0207 928 3462

Email:  info@waterloocc.co.uk

Referral form page: MECS Referral Form | Waterloo Community Counselling

Update 11.2025: 8-12 weeks waiting time

SignHealth

Free counselling for deaf individuals. All therapists are fluent in BSL and understand Deaf culture. 

Contact:
Text: 07984 439473
Call: 07966 976747
Email: therapies@signhealth.org.uk

Referral: Self/ Professional (Forms on website)