Free and low cost counselling in Edinburgh
Last updated August 2026
Here you can find a wide range of free and low-cost counselling available in Edinburgh. We have listed services that are in-person, over the phone, and online via video calls and email.
Find out more about the different types of counselling and how they can help you on the NHS Inform website.
If you would like to add a free or low-cost counselling service to this page, please email us at ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.
CATS – Creative Arts Therapies Space
Creative Arts Therapies Space (CATS) offers art, music, and dramatherapy for adults and young people, including free initial consultations made accessible through self-referral and flexible, sliding-scale fees. It also offers Pay-What-You-Can 12 session blocks for those who are unable to afford our lowest rate.
Cost: Pay-what-you-can services available, other services from £40.
Email: referrals@creativeartstherapiesspace.co.uk
Website: https://www.creativeartstherapiesspace.org/
Connections Counselling
Connections was created as a place for therapeutic relationships to facilitate growth for clients and counsellors alike. They offer low cost and offer a pay-what-you-can services for people who are unable to afford counselling.
Cost: Pay-what-you-can services available, other services from £40.
Email: hello@connectionscounselling.co.uk
Website: www.connectionscounselling.co.uk
Eir Counselling
Eir Counselling offer psychodynamic counselling in a safe, non-judgemental and confidential space where together we can work through your struggles towards healing and lasting change.
Counselling is available in-person and online.
Cost: Pay what you can for those on benefits, £25-40 per session depending on income
Telephone: 0750 316 8518
Email: info@eircounselling.co.uk
Website: https://eircounselling.co.uk
Location: The Fisherrow Centre, South St, Musselburgh EH21 6AT
The Edinburgh Counselling Service
A general counselling service based in the city centre and north-west Edinburgh for adults, couples and young people. Our concessionary spaces are for those aged 16 or over and are for face to face sessions which take place in our city centre branch.
To access our low cost counselling spaces, please complete our self-referral form on the website.
Cost: £60+
Email: hannah@edinburghcounsellingservice.com
Website: www.edinburghcounsellingservice.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theedinburghcounsellingservice/
Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/edinburghcounsellingservice/
The Health Agency
Counselling and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) are available to anyone in South West Edinburgh aged 16 and over and can take place face-to-face, online, or by phone. You can self-refer or be referred by your GP, Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN), social worker, or other organisation you are working with.
Counselling is time-limited (maximum of 12 weeks). This service operates a waiting list.
Cost: Free but donations are welcomed.
Phone: 0131 453 9400
Email: Frontdesk@thehealthagency.org.uk
Website: www.thehealthagency.org.uk/self-referral-page/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WesterHailesHealthAgency
Twitter: www.twitter.com/healthagencywh
Hope Park Counselling Centre
Hope Park Counselling Centre offers counselling to individuals over the age of 16 living in the Edinburgh area.
Counselling sessions are available online.
Hope Park Counselling Centre is primarily staffed by counsellors in training who are studying at the University of Edinburgh on the postgraduate Counselling and Psychotherapy Masters Programme.
Cost: Donation for the first appointment then £2 – £30 moving forward. The ability to pay does not affect your access to counselling.
Phone: 0131 650 6696
Website: ed.ac.uk/health/hopepark
Email: hpcc@ed.ac.uk
Life and Soul Counselling at St Mungo’s Wellness Centre
Life and Soul Counselling is British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) organisation, offering counselling to adults, children and couples.
All counsellors are volunteers who have been trained to a minimum of Diploma level and are members of Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) or BACP.
Counselling is available in-person and online.
Cost: Financial contributions are made on a donation basis. Suggested amounts are on a sliding scale depending on income and starting at £20 per hourly session
Phone: 0131 451 5226
Email: lifeandsoul@stmungos.org
Website: www.stmungos.org/counselling
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmungos
Twitter: www.twitter.com/stmungoschurch
PF Counselling
Provides in person counselling to adults who live in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
In-person and online sessions are available. Remote sessions are available via the Attend Anywhere platform, which can be accessed from the PF Online page.
Cost: We rely on donations. A minimum donation is required (based on your income).
Phone: 0131 447 0876
Email: info@pfcounselling.org.uk
Website: www.pfcounselling.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pfcounselling
Twitter: twitter.com/pfcounselling
Spark Counselling
This service is for people aged 16 years old and over. Counselling is available over the phone and online via Zoom.
The Relationship Helpline offers 200 hours per week of free counselling which is available to callers who need it. You can access 6 free sessions through this service.
Cost: Donations based
Phone: 0300 180 0444
Website: www.thespark.org.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/SparkScotland
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheSparkCounselling
South East Counselling (Health in Mind)
This service offers 12 sessions delivered by trainee counsellors, and is suitable for people living in the South East locality of Edinburgh experiencing low to moderate mental health needs. Face to face counselling only. To refer, submit an enquiry on Health in Mind’s website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/enquiry-form/.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 225 8508
Website:www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Email: hello@health-in-mind.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Health_in_Mind
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthinmindscotland
North East Counselling (Health in Mind)
This service offers 12 sessions delivered by qualified counsellors, and is suitable for people living in the North East locality of Edinburgh experiencing moderate mental health needs. Counselling is available face to face and online via video. To refer, submit an enquiry on Health in Mind’s website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/enquiry-form/.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 225 8508
Website: www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Email: hello@health-in-mind.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Health_in_Mind
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthinmindscotland
Wellbeing Therapies (Health in Mind)
Wellbeing Therapies offers 12 sessions of counselling face to face or online for adults in Edinburgh. To refer, submit an enquiry on Health in Mind’s website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/enquiry-form/.
Cost: £50 for a 50-minute session
Phone: 0131 225 8508
Website: www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Email: counselling@health-in-mind.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Health_in_Mind
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthinmindscotland
Wellspring Scotland
This service is for adults living in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Wellspring Scotland offer different therapies for different needs.
Find out more about the different types of counselling on offer on the services page.
Cost: Our fees are £40 per session
Phone: 0131 553 6660
Website: www.wellspring-scotland.co.uk
Email: mail@wellspring-scotland.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WellspringScotland
Whole Works
This service is for adults living in Edinburgh. Counselling is available in-person and online.
Cost: Starting at £45 per session with concessions depending on income.
Phone: 0131 225 8092
Email: enquiries@thewholeworks.co.uk
Website: www.thewholeworks.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Whole-Works
Black Minds Matter UK
Black Minds Matter UK provides up to 10 sessions of fully funded one-to-one talking therapy for the Black Community, delivered by registered associate Black therapists.
Counselling is available online.
The service is for UK residents who are 18+ and Black African, Black Caribbean or Mixed Heritage with one parent being Black African or Black Caribbean.
Cost: Free
Website: www.blackmindsmatteruk.com
Apply online: www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/accessourtherapyservice
Feniks
This service is for people aged 18 years old and over, and from the Polish and/or Central-Eastern European community.
Counselling is available online or over the phone.
The standard track counselling service is for individuals in a difficult financial situation, are on benefits, threatened with homelessness, are victims of domestic or sexual violence. You will be offered up to 8 sessions.
Cost: Standard track is free/donation-based. Fast Track is £35-45 depending on the therapist, and couple counselling starts at £60
Phone: 07510 122 425
Website: www.feniks.org.uk
Email: info@feniks.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/centrum_feniks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Feniks.Support.Services
VOCAL Edinburgh counselling for carers
This service is for unpaid carers who require emotional support.
Cost: financial contributions are agreed upon at a level to suit your individual circumstances.
Phone: 0131 466 8082
Website: www.vocal.org.uk/carer-support/care-for-yourself/emotional-support/counselling-for-carers
Email: counselling@vocal.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/VOCALEdinburgh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VOCALEdinburgh
Climate Psychology Alliance
Climate Psychology Alliance is a UK community exploring the emotional, relational, and psychological dimensions of the climate and ecological crisis.
They provide free, one-to-one support with a therapist if you’re experiencing eco-distress or climate anxiety.
Cost: Free
Website: https://climatepsychologyalliance.org/
Email: support@climatepsychologyalliance.org
Bright Light
This service is for adults living in Edinburgh and the Lothians experiencing difficulties in their relationships, including family therapy.
Counselling sessions are available online via Zoom. If you have any questions you would like to ask Bright Light about its services, you can email the team using the details below.
Find out how to make a referral on the Bright Light website.
Cost: Starting from £40 per session. Concessions are available.
Phone: 0131 556 1527
Website: www.bright-light.org.uk
Email: askus@bright-light.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Bright_Light_47
Held in our Hearts
Held in Our Hearts’ counselling service is available for bereaved parents. There are three permanent counsellors who are able to offer specialist baby bereavement counselling for families.
There are in-person and online counselling sessions available.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 622 6263
Email: info@heldinourhearts.org.uk
Website: www.heldinourhearts.org.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/babylosscounsellingandsupport
Twitter: www.twitter.com/heldinourheart
Pregnancy Counselling & Care
This service is for people whose mental health has been negatively impacted by pregnancy or early parenting-related difficulty.
The long term counselling service offers 10 online sessions of counselling delivered online via Zoom.
The fast track counselling service is available online only offers 3 sessions. To refer yourself to our fast-track service email info@counsellingandcare.co.uk.
Cost: Donation-based
Phone: 0131 557 2060
Website: www.counsellingandcare.co.uk
Email: info@counsellingandcare.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pccscot
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pccscotland
Bright Light
This service is for adults living in Edinburgh experiencing difficulties in their relationships. Couples and individual counselling is available.
Counselling sessions are available online via Zoom. If you have any questions you would like to ask Bright Light about its services, you can email the team using the details below.
Find out how to make a referral on the Bright Light website
Cost: Starting from £40 per session. Concessions are available.
Phone: 0131 556 1527
Website: www.bright-light.org.uk
Email: askus@bright-light.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Bright_Light_47
Lothian Deaf Counselling Service (Health in Mind)
This service offers 20 sessions of counselling to support emotional wellbeing in an accessible and inclusive way for people who are Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. Delivered by qualified counsellors face-to-face or online. Available in
English or British Sign Language (BSL). To refer, submit an enquiry on Health in Mind’s website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/enquiry-form/.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 225 8508
Text: 07786202875
Website: www.health-in-mind.org.uk/services/lothian_deaf_counselling_service
Email: hello@health-in-mind.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Health_in_Mind
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthinmindscotland
Crew 2000
Crew 2000 provides up to 30 free counselling sessions for people concerned about their stimulant and other drug use (such as cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or amphetamines). Crew Counselling Service is currently offering telephone sessions and online counselling, and are accepting new referrals for counselling.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 220 3404
Website: crew.scot/what-we-do/counselling-services
Email: referrals@crew2000.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/crew_2000
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Crew2000
Simpson House counselling service
Crossreach’s Simpson House provides support to anyone in Edinburgh who has been affected by past or present drug use, whether it’s your own or someone else’s.
Counselling is available online.
Cost: This is a donation-based service. There is also a fast track service at £45 per session.
Phone: 0131 225 6028
Website: https://www.crossreach.org.uk/find-service/counselling/general-adult
Email: info@crossreach.org.uk / simpsonhouse@crossreach.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossReach
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CrossReach1869
Trauma Counselling (Health in Mind)
This service offers 24 sessions of counselling for adults in Edinburgh who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Counselling is available face to face and online via video. To refer, submit an enquiry on Health in Mind’s website: https://health-in-mind.org.uk/enquiry-form/.
Cost: free
Phone: 0131 225 8508
Website: www.health-in-mind.org.uk
Email: hello@health-in-mind.org.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Health_in_Mind
Facebook: www.facebook.com/healthinmindscotland
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Edinburgh Women’s Aid supports women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.
The majority of support is being provided by phone, email, webchat and text.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 315 8110
Website: https://edinwomensaid.co.uk/womens-support-services/
Email: duty@edinwomensaid.co.uk
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdinWomensAid
Facebook: www.facebook.com/edinwomensaid
Heriot Watt University Counselling
*This service is for students of Heriot Watt University.
Heriot Watt delivers one-to-one meetings either online through Microsoft Teams, or on-campus where local restrictions allow. Support includes drop-in, assessment, mental health, and counselling sessions.
Go to the Book an Appointment tile on myHWU and select the half-hour wellbeing assessment option that suits you best. In the first instance, you will be offered a 30-minute assessment appointment, where you can find out about a range of support options and may be placed on the counselling waiting list.
Student counselling service Queen Margaret University
*This service is for Queen Margaret University students.
Queen Margaret University offers short-term counselling, normally up to six sessions, to help you with any personal problems which might be affecting your academic work or your general health and wellbeing.
Appointments are available 9.15 am – 7.00 pm throughout the year and last up to 50 minutes. Sessions are delivered via telephone, Microsoft Teams and on-campus.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 474 0000 (ask for Student Services when prompted)
Email: counselling@qmu.ac.uk
Website: www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/student-services/counselling-service
TalkTime Scotland
TalkTime Scotland aims to provide counselling and emotional support to young people aged 12-25 with a physical disability living in Scotland. This can be in-person, online or over the phone.
TalkTime Scotland offers free professional counselling if disability and/or long-term condition is impacting your life on a day-to-day basis.
Cost: Free
Phone: 07774 210104.
Email: talktimescotland@gmail.com
Website: www.talktimescotland.co.uk/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/talktimescotland/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/talktimescot
Crossreach Sunflower Garden
Offers free counselling, Art Therapy and Groupwork for children and young people 5-18 impacted by drug and/or alcohol use in their families.
Cost: Free
Phone: 0131 220 2488
Email: sunflowergardenproject@crossreach.org.uk
Website: https://www.crossreach.org.uk/crossreach-sunflower-garden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrossReach1869
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrossReach
If you would like a more comprehensive list of counselling services in Edinburgh, please look at the directory sites below:
www.counselling-directory.org.uk