The Counselling and Health Advice Service aims to offer support to students who need help. Sometimes this means helping students to access services outside of UAL that can offer longer term or specialist support.
We do not endorse any of these organisations, but have compiled a list of organisations that you may find helpful.
Emergencies
In a life threatening or urgent emergency, ask for help immediately.
Local counselling services in London
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South London
Here is a list of low cost counselling organisations in South London
Croydon Counselling Foundation
Lambeth Single Point of Access
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West London
Here is a list of low cost counselling organisations in West London
Ealing Abbey Counselling Service
Marylebone Healing and Counselling Centre
West London Centre for Counselling
West London IAPT (Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Hounslow residents only)
Westminster Mind (Westminster residents only)
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North London
Here is a list of low cost counselling organisations in North London
Claremont Project Psychotherapy (Islington residents only)
The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (Requires referral from GP)
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East London
Here is a list of low cost counselling organisations in East London
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Training organisations that provide low cost therapy
Some organisations that train counsellors, psychotherapists and psychoanalysts offer low cost therapy services.
The Association for Group and Individual Psychotherapy (Archway)
The Bowlby Centre (Highbury)
CFAR Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research (All London )
Counselling Service at CPPD (Hornsey)
Guild of Psychotherapists (City)
Metanoia (Ealing)
The Minster Centre Psychotherapy & Counselling Service (Queens Park)
Psychosynthesis Trust (London Bridge)
Westminster Pastoral Foundation (London Bridge)
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Private therapy
If you are able to pay privately for counselling or psychotherapy, here are two websites listing registered therapists.
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
This service has listings of psychotherapists offering free therapy for those on low incomes.
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IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
You can self refer to IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) an NHS service.
For residents of all boroughs and locations you can check the NHS website for your local IAPT service
If you live in Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark or Wimbledon you can self-refer via SLaM
If you live in Lambeth you can also self refer to Lambeth Single Point of Access
If you live in Southwark you can also contact The Nest Southwark (Supporting the mental health of young people in Southwark up to age 25)
If you live in Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham or Hounslow you can self refer via West London IAPT
Self Help
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Abuse
The Havens are specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
Phone: 020 3299 6900
Private service offering trauma focused psychological therapy.
Phone: 0208 1917250
Email: info@londontraumaspecialists.com
Supporting recovery from Child Abuse. NAPAC offers phone and email support to survivors of sexual abuse during childhood. They also run support groups in London.
Phone: 0808 801 0331
NHS – Help after Rape or Sexual Assault
NHS advice after sexual assault
Phone: 111 or 999 in an emergency
Providing services for women, children and young people who have experienced male violence
Supporting people who have experienced child sexual abuse and trauma
This site provides Online Welfare Advice Packs for University Students
These advice packs cover a range of topics and aim to promote online welfare, encourage students to create a positive online presence and find support if things go wrong.
Helpline: 03456 000 459 (10am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.)
Respond works with children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those who have abused others, through psychotherapy, advocacy,campaigning and other support.
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Addiction
AA is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics
Helpline: 0800 9177 650
Email: help@aamail.org
Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking.
Helpline: 0800 0086 811
ASCA – Addiction Support and Care Agency
Counselling and group services for alcohol and drug misusers in Richmond and Kingston boroughs.
Drug and alcohol addiction charity running services throughout London area.
The CNWL Club Drug Clinic is a free service dedicated to club drug users living in the London boroughs of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. Offers drop in service, no appointment necessary.
Counselling service in Ealing, West London that includes support with addictions.
Friendly, confidential drugs advice with drugs A – Z and online chat daily 2 to 6pm.
NA run groups to support abstinence from use of all drugs.
Helpline: 0300 999 1212
Phoenix Futures are a charity and housing association which helps people overcome drug and alcohol problems.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Information from the Royal College of Psychiatrists on the connection between alcohol and depression.
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Anxiety
Anxiety UK work to relieve and support those living with anxiety and anxiety-based depression.
Centre for Clinical Interventions
The Centre for Clinical Interventions has various self help resources for addressing anxiety.
NHS – Generalised anxiety disorder in adults
NHS information on anxiety
No Panic is a registered charity which helps people who suffer from Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders including those people who are trying to give up Tranquillizers.
Royal College of Psychiatrists – Anxiety, Panic and Phobias
Information on anxiety, panic and phobias
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BAME (Black Asian and Minority Ethnic)
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network
BAATN is the home of the largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK.
Black Minds Matter is providing black people in the UK with FREE therapy with professional black therapists.
You can select a therapist from their website based on your needs, arrange a session and they will cover the cost.
Chinese International Students Wellbeing Support Centre
CISC are committed to providing a full spectrum of support to Chinese international students who are living in the UK and to provide them with emotional wellbeing support that will help the Chinese international students community in the cultural adaptation process and achieve their academic goals and personal aims.
Nafsiyat offers free short-term intercultural therapy to people from diverse backgrounds who live in Islington, Enfield, Camden and Haringey. They also have a paying service for residents of other boroughs.
Shades of Noir can support BAME UAL students through a variety of activities including safe crits.
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Bereavement
Bereavement Advice Centre is a free helpline and web-based information service. They give practical information and advice and signposting on the many issues and procedures that face us after the death of someone close.
Helpline: 0800 634 9494 - Mon to Fri, 9am - 5pm
Bereavement counselling service for Camden, City, Islington and Westminster residents.
Cruse offer support, advice and information when someone dies. Includes information on bereavement counselling services.
Information and support for the bereaved.
Bereavement support and information for young people, provided by Cruse.
The Loss Foundation is the only UK charity dedicated solely to providing bereavement support following the loss of a loved one to cancer.
Royal College of Psychiatrists - Bereavement
Information on bereavement.
SAMM (Support after Murder and Manslaughter)
SAMM is a national UK Charity supporting families bereaved by Murder and Manslaughter.
Helpline: 0845 872 3440
Southwark Carers Bereavement Counselling Service
Confidential bereavement counselling service for people living in Southwark.
Provides peer support to anyone who has experienced suicide loss.
Support After Suicide Partnership
This is a network of organisations that support people who have been bereaved or affected by suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
SoBS exist to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide.
National Helpline: 0300 111 5065 - 9am-9pm Monday to Friday
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Carers
Carers Trust provides a directory of organisations that support carers.
Carers UK provides advice, information and support to carers.
Counselling service for carers in Southwark.
Information from UAL about student carers.
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Couples and Family Therapy
The Institute of Family Therapy (IFT) offer help to couples, families and other relationship groups who are finding relationships problematic and would like the opportunity to explore and think about those issues.
Relate are the UK's largest provider of relationship support.
Tavistock Relationships supports couples through therapy and psychoeducation.
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Domestic Violence
LGBT+ anti violence charity supports those who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse. They also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Respect is the UK membership organisation for work with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims of domestic violence and young people’s violence in close relationships.
Free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse.
Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a free, women-only service that supports women in London who have experienced violence, or are at risk of violence.
Woman’s Trust is a charity that provides free counselling and therapy for female survivors of domestic violence, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and other forms of domestic abuse.
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Eating Disorders
Support for people with eating disorders.
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LGBT+
Albany Trust Charity is one of the few specialist counselling and psychotherapy services based within South London, that provides high quality professional support around gender, sexuality and relationship issues.
The Beaumont society offers help and support for the transgender community.
Holistic wellbeing, counselling and sexual health services for trans people, their partners and friends.
An LGBT+ anti-violence charity supporting those who have experienced hate crimes, domestic abuse or sexual violence.
A charity specialising in raising awareness of gender diversity.
GIRES is a UK wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people of all ages, including those who are non-binary and non-gender.
GMFA is the UK's leading charity dedicated to gay men's health.
London Friend support the health and mental well-being of the LGB&T community in and around London.
Mermaids campaigns on trans issues and offers support to young people and their families.
Equality and diversity charity providing health, community and youth services in London and the South East.
Sexual health service also offering counselling and support groups for trans people. Support offered across London and specifically in Merton and Wandsworth.
Switchboard is an LGBT+ helpline – a place for calm words when you need them most.
Helpline: 0300 330 0630 (10am - 10pm daily)
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Mental Health
Bipolar UK provide support and information about bipolar disorder.
Centre for Clinical Interventions
The Centre for Clinical Interventions is an Australian website providing a variety of online information sheets and workbooks on mental health. Issues covered include anxiety, depression, perfectionism and social anxiety along with many others.
This is an NHS led initiative to support good mental health. It includes a quiz to help you develop a personalised plan to support good mental health.
UAL’s Students’ Union runs Mentally Chill, a society for those with mental health illness. The society’s aim is to reach out and help others in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Their website includes a guide to different mental health issues. Some local branches of Mind also provide low cost counselling.
NHS Mental Health Apps Library
A directory of apps recommended by the NHS for mental health concerns such as self-harming, anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.
NHS information on how to manage stress, anxiety and depression.
Rethink provides information on services and local support groups. They also have fact sheets on medication and mental health conditions and symptoms.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional medical body representing psychiatrists. Their website contains a useful directory of problems and disorders including symptoms and treatment information.
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Personality Disorders
Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder: Finding a Way Forward
Online video by The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust explaining more about Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.
Mind Reframed offer private Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for individual's diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Please note this is a private service and charges fees
Rethink – Personality Disorder
Rethink are a charity providing information and advice about mental health. Here they provide information on personality disorders.
Royal College of Psychiatrists – Personality Disorder
Information on symptoms and treatment for personality disorders.
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Sexual Health
Dean St is an NHS HIV and STI clinic in Soho
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is the UK's leading abortion care service.
Brook provides free advice on sexual health and wellbeing.
Marie Stopes is the leading independent provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the UK.
National Unplanned Pregnancy Advisory Service (NUPAS) has been commissioned by the NHS to provide FREE pregnancy advice, counselling and abortion termination treatment clinics including pregnancy testing and STI screening.
THT provides HIV testing, STI testing, sexual health information and therapy services for people living with HIV.
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Stress
Mind leaflet on stress and how to manage it.
NHS information on how to deal with stress.
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Suicide Prevention
The Campaign Against Living Miserably works to prevent male suicide.
Helpline: 0808 802 58 58
The Listening Place offers face to face support for those who feel that life is no longer worth living.
Maytree offers a sanctuary for the suicidal. Maytree aims to alleviate suffering and help people in suicidal crisis to re-engage with life and to restore hope.
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They run a helpline for young people under 35 who are having suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Helpline: 0800 068 4141
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
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Wellbeing
The Free Mindfulness Project hosts a growing collection of free-to-download mindfulness meditation exercises.
Headspace is a meditation app with free and paid services.
A site with mindfulness information at exercises, directed at students.
Moodgym is an interactive online self-help resource to assist with anxiety and depression.