Free Counselling Liverpool: A Guide to Free Therapy & Mental Health Support
Updated: 2 days ago
Please note that these services are in not 'endorsements', they are just services to explore if you do not want to pay for therapy. Note, it is usually traditional talking therapies that offer. As a therpist I want people to feel better, so I have created a list for you - of free services in the area. If on the otherhand you would prefer to see me, even for just 1 appointment, then just get intouch, or book now on my websites page: https://www.counsellingforliverpool.com/bookings
Liverpool has a range of organisations providing free counselling, NHS psychological therapy, specialist emotional support and mental health services.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to access free support for anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement, trauma, gambling-related problems, neurological conditions, family difficulties and other mental health concerns.
This guide explains where to find free counselling services in Liverpool, who they are for, how to access them and what to expect.
Last checked: September 2026. Eligibility, availability and waiting times can change, so always confirm the current details with the service before making a referral.
Free counselling services in Liverpool
1. NHS Talking Therapies Liverpool
For many adults searching for free counselling in Liverpool, NHS Talking Therapies is the best place to start.
The service provides free NHS psychological treatment for people experiencing common mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression. Mersey Care explains that its Talking Therapies programme provides evidence-based psychological treatments and includes both lower-intensity and more intensive therapy options. MMersey Care
You can usually self-refer, meaning you do not necessarily have to wait for a GP appointment before asking for help.
Liverpool City Council also lists Talk Liverpool as a free service providing talking therapies and practical support for people experiencing problems such as stress, low mood and anxiety. Liverpool City Council+1
Contact:
Telephone: 0151 228 2300
Self-referral available
NHS-funded service
Who can use NHS Talking Therapies?
Eligibility depends on your circumstances and local NHS criteria. The service is primarily designed for people experiencing common mental health problems rather than severe or immediate mental health crises.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, use urgent NHS support instead.
What can NHS Talking Therapies help with?
Depending on assessment, treatment can help with difficulties such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Low mood
Worry
Other common mental health difficulties.
For people looking for free NHS counselling in Liverpool, this is one of the first services worth contacting.
2. Young Person's Advisory Service (YPAS)
YPAS is a specialist Liverpool service providing mental health and emotional wellbeing support for children, young people and families.
It is particularly relevant if you are looking for free counselling for a child or teenager in Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council lists YPAS locations including its Central Hub at 36 Bolton Street, Liverpool, L3 5LX, and a South Hub on Lyndene Road. LLiverpool City Council
The NHS also lists YPAS as a service providing mental health and emotional wellbeing support. UUniversity of Liverpool
Central Hub:
36 Bolton StreetLiverpoolL3 5LX
Telephone: 0151 707 1025
YPAS also provides walk-in support through its Central Hub, meaning children, young people, parents and carers can access certain support without an appointment or referral. Liverpool City Council.
What can YPAS help with?
Support can be relevant to young people experiencing difficulties such as:
Anxiety
Depression
Low mood
Emotional distress
Family problems
Bereavement
Self-esteem difficulties
Other mental health and wellbeing concerns
If you are searching specifically for free counselling for young people in Liverpool, YPAS is an important service to consider.
3. Liverpool Bereavement Service
Bereavement can have a major impact on mental health, and specialist bereavement counselling can be particularly helpful following the death of someone close.
Liverpool Bereavement Service provides bereavement support in Liverpool and the surrounding area.
It can be a useful option for people searching for free bereavement counselling in Liverpool rather than general counselling.
Who is it for?
The service is designed to support people experiencing grief and bereavement.
Depending on the service and circumstances, support may be available for adults, children and families.
If you have recently experienced a bereavement and are struggling to cope, contacting a specialist bereavement service can be a good first step.
4. Beacon Counselling Trust
Beacon Counselling Trust is a Liverpool-based charity providing specialist psychological and counselling support.
Its current programmes include support for gambling-related harms and suicide bereavement. Beacon describes Paul's Place as a specialist free postvention bereavement counselling service for people bereaved by suicide. BBeacon Counselling Trust
Telephone: 0151 226 0696
Address:
263 Townsend LaneClubmoorLiverpoolL13 9DG
Paul's Place
Paul's Place is particularly relevant if you have lost someone through suicide and need specialist bereavement support.
Beacon's therapists use a range of approaches, including person-centred interventions, CBT, trauma-informed approaches and relationship therapy, depending on the programme and individual's needs. BBeacon Counselling Trust
Gambling-related support
Beacon also provides support relating to gambling-related harm.
This can be relevant not only to people experiencing gambling problems themselves but also to people affected by another person's gambling.
5. The Brain Charity
The Brain Charity is another important option for people looking for free counselling in Liverpool, particularly if mental health difficulties are connected to a neurological condition.
The organisation provides a free six-week counselling service for people affected by a neurological condition, as well as their carers and family members. TThe Brain Charity
The service can support issues including:
Anxiety
Depression
Phobias
Bereavement
Emotional wellbeing
Address:
The Brain CharityNorton Street Liverpool L3 8LR
Counselling appointments take place at the charity's Liverpool centre, and the organisation says demand for its free counselling service is currently very high, so waiting times for an initial assessment can vary. The Brain Charity
Who is this service for?
This service is particularly useful for people who:
Have a neurological condition
Care for someone with a neurological condition
Are a family member of someone affected by a neurological condition
Need emotional support related to neurological illness
It is important to note that The Brain Charity also offers paid specialist neuro psychotherapy, which is separate from its free counselling service. TThe Brain Charity
6. Our House Community
Our House Community in Walton provides mental health courses and a free counselling service.
The organisation says its counselling service is free, although demand can mean that there is a waiting list. It also offers mental health courses covering subjects such as anxiety management, depression, confidence and self-esteem. OOur House Walton Community Hub
Address:
15 Heathcote RoadLiverpoolL4 6XB
Telephone: 0151 521 7722
Email: info@ourhouse-walton.co.uk
If you live in the local area and are looking for free therapy in Liverpool, it is worth contacting the organisation to ask about current spaces and eligibility.
7. The Rotunda
The Rotunda is a community organisation in Liverpool providing support to local families and residents.
Its services include wellbeing and support programmes, and depending on the programme available, people may be able to access counselling alongside other practical or community support.
Because programmes and eligibility can change, contact The Rotunda directly to find out what free counselling or wellbeing services are currently available.
The service can be particularly useful for people who need more than counselling alone and may also benefit from practical or community-based support.
8. Kyra Women's Project
Kyra Women's Project provides specialist support for women and girls.
Depending on eligibility and current programme availability, support can include counselling and emotional wellbeing services.
This may be relevant to women experiencing:
Anxiety
Depression
Bereavement
Trauma
Relationship difficulties
Domestic abuse
Low self-esteem
Other emotional wellbeing concerns
If you are searching for free counselling for women in Liverpool, contact Kyra to check current eligibility and availability.
9. Sanctuary Family Support
Sanctuary Family Support provides support to individuals and families affected by substance misuse.
It can be particularly useful when drug or alcohol problems are affecting someone's mental health, relationships or family life.
Support may include emotional support, practical assistance and counselling depending on the individual's circumstances and current programme availability.
This can be a useful specialist option if a person's need for counselling is connected to drug or alcohol use within the family.
Free mental health support in Liverpool
Not every free mental health service is a counselling service.
It is useful to understand the difference because some organisations offer crisis support, listening services, wellbeing support or practical assistance rather than ongoing one-to-one counselling.
These services can nevertheless be extremely valuable.
Liverpool Light
Liverpool Light provides support for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
It is not a replacement for ongoing counselling, but it can provide support when someone feels unable to cope and needs urgent mental health assistance.
For people experiencing a mental health crisis, Mersey Care advises calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option. Mersey Care
Samaritans
Samaritans provides free, confidential emotional support to anyone who needs someone to talk to.
Telephone: 116 123
You do not need a diagnosis or referral to contact Samaritans.
It is important to understand that Samaritans is a listening service rather than a traditional counselling service. It can nevertheless be an important source of immediate emotional support.
Shout
Shout provides confidential crisis support by text.
Text SHOUT to 85258 to connect with a trained volunteer.
This can be particularly useful if talking on the telephone feels difficult.
NHS Telephone number: 111 also offers mental health support now,
and for Emergencies 999 or A&E can be consulted.
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