St. Vincent's Counselling Service offers a lifeline of support for adults navigating mild to moderate mental health and emotional challenges for free. We provide structured, short-term counseling within a safe, community-based (in Leeds) setting, completely free of charge.
As part of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, we're dedicated to helping individuals find their path toward well-being. Through one-on-one sessions and potential group activities, we empower you to address anxiety, low mood, stress, and more. Let us be your partner in fostering resilience and emotional stability. Reach out to us today and take the first step towards a brighter, more balanced future.
We are here to help you.
St Vincent's Counselling Service
St Vincent’s Leeds Counselling Service provides structured, short-term counselling support for adults experiencing mild to moderate mental health or emotional wellbeing difficulties.
The service is delivered within a supervised, community-based setting and is free of charge.
Eligibility Criteria
St Vincent’s Counselling Service accepts external professional referrals for one-to-one counselling for:
- Adults aged 18 and over
- Individuals living within LS8, LS9, and surrounding local areas (subject to capacity)
- Those presenting with mild to moderate mental health or emotional wellbeing difficulties
This may include concerns such as anxiety, low mood, stress, life transitions, relationship difficulties, or social isolation, where risk is assessed as stable.
We welcome referrals for people of all genders.
Referrals must be submitted by a recognised professional, including:
- Social prescribers
- GP practices
- Support workers
- Partner organisations
- Other statutory or voluntary sector professionals
We do not accept self-referrals.
As counselling sessions are delivered by supervised trainee placement counsellors, referrals must be assessed as suitable for a structured, low-risk community counselling service.
Referrals not suitable for this service
We are unable to accept referrals where there is:
- Active suicidal ideation or ongoing self-harm
- Acute mental health crisis
- Unmanaged severe mental illness or psychosis
- Active substance misuse without engagement in treatment
- Current domestic abuse where there is ongoing risk
In such cases, referral to specialist or crisis-level services is advised.
What we can offer
All referrals are subject to an initial screening process to confirm eligibility and suitability.
Following receipt of a referral, the individual will be contacted to arrange a brief telephone screening. If appropriate, they will then be invited to attend a face-to-face initial consultation.
Where assessed as suitable, individuals may be offered up to 12 weekly 50-minute one-to-one counselling sessions.
Depending on need and availability, additional support options may include:
- Wellbeing groups and activities
- Telephone-based counselling
Counselling sessions are delivered by qualified counsellors and supervised trainee placement counsellors.
All practitioners are supported by experienced clinical supervisors and case management staff and work in accordance with the NCPS Code of Ethics and organisational safeguarding procedures.
As a trainee-led service, availability may vary depending on capacity and placement cycles.