Mental Wellbeing Service
Building confidence and connection to thrive
We offer Counselling, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Peer Support for people experiencing mental health difficulties that are affecting their day-to-day life. We provide a safe space where people are heard and offer practical tools to develop coping skills, build confidence and resilience, and support recovery and wellbeing.
Who our service is for
Our service supports people who may be struggling with their mental wellbeing, including feelings of anxiety, stress, low mood, isolation, loss of confidence, or other challenges that are making life difficult to manage. If your mental health is affecting your relationships, work, studies or everyday activities, we are able to help.
Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy that provides a safe, confidential space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences with a trained professional.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, particularly when we are dealing with difficult emotions, relationships, loss, stress or major life changes. Counselling gives you time and space to talk about what’s happening in your life, helping you better understand yourself and the challenges you are facing.
Your counsellor will listen without judgement and support you to explore your experiences, consider new perspectives, develop coping strategies and build confidence in managing difficult situations and emotions.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a practical, goal-focused therapy that helps you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and physical reactions.
When we’re struggling, it’s common to develop patterns of thinking or behaviour that can keep us feeling stuck. CBT helps you identify these patterns and learn new ways of responding that can improve your wellbeing.
CBT is a collaborative therapy, meaning you work together with your therapist to set goals and develop strategies that support positive change. It may include practical exercises to try between sessions, helping you build skills and confidence in everyday life.
Who provides our Counselling and CBT
Our counselling and CBT is delivered by volunteer counsellors who are on placement as part of their professional training. We are a trauma-informed service, which means we recognise that past experiences can affect people today and work in a way that promotes safety, trust, choice and respect.
Accessible to everyone. Supported by donations.
The Health Agency believes everyone should be able to access support to protect their health, wellbeing and quality of life. To help us continue providing wellbeing services across our communities, we invite people accessing our services to consider making a voluntary donation if they are able to do so.
Donations are entirely optional, and access to support is never affected by an individual’s ability or decision to donate. Information about making a donation is provided at your initial appointment, enabling you to decide what feels right for you.
For Crisis Support and Intensive Mental Health Support
We want everyone to get the right support at the right time. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need more specialist or intensive support than we can provide, there are organisations that can help. Please contact
- NHS 24 Mental Health Hub – Call 111
- Breathing space – Call 0800 83 85 87 or visit breathingspace.scot
- Samaritans – Call 116 123, available 24/7 at samaratans.org
- Edinburgh iThrive – For mental health and wellbeing support across the city of Edinburgh.
If you are unsure what support is right for you, please speak to your GP.