Free or low-cost counselling

Systemic Family Therapy- North East Edinburgh

Systemic Family Therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space where families can explore changes or difficulties within family relationships. Sessions can help families to address issues together, helping to ease stress and improve how family members interact with one another. Systemic Family therapy is suitable for children, young people, parents/carers and family members of all ages.

Some blocks of Systemic Family Therapy sessions are available this term for free for families in Edinburgh with children aged five to 21 years. Priority will be given to families living in the Portobello and Niddrie area. Sessions last 60 minutes and families attend each week. There will be some online and evening sessions available and in person sessions will be available on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday at

Northfield and Willowbrae Community Centre
10 Northfield Road
EH8 7PP

For more information or to make an application, contact the Systemic Family Therapist

Mal.Zbikowska@edinburgh.gov.uk  

07730 287 317

Free 1:1 counselling for single parents

One Parent Family Scotland offers counselling for single parents. Sessions can be offered face-to-face or via video call.

For more information contact jenifer.hamilton@opfs.org.uk call 0131 556 3899

Therapy, Linking and Counselling (TLC)

TLC is a free service for Leith parents with children pre-birth to five years. Counselling can help with many reasons such as relationship problems, bereavement, depression, anxiety, phobias, illness or addictions. Counselling helps by talking about how these problems are affecting you now but sometimes it is necessary to discuss past experiences or wider relationships which may have contributed to these present difficulties. Sessions run at 

Dr. Bells Family Centre 
15 Junction Place 
EH6 6JA 

Individuals must refer themselves by emailing 

tlc@dbfc.org.uk  

Feniks Therapy and counselling for Eastern European adults

Feniks is a charity which aims to improve the well-being of the Polish and Ukrainian Communities in Edinburgh. Services include one-to-one therapy and counselling in Polish (adults only) and one-to-one and group emotional support in Ukrainian (adults only). Services are free of charge, but donations are welcomed for the counselling/therapy service. Clients can self-refer or be referred by NHS and other organisations.

For more information visit the Feniks website or contact

info@feniks.org.uk

0131 629 1881

Polish Family Support Service Counselling and psychological support 

Support for Polish families, individuals, and young people in Edinburgh, with a particular focus on disadvantaged Polish families. Mental health support includes counselling and psychological support for families, couples, individuals, and young people. Welfare support and drop-in service for adults, support groups and workshops, befriending and peer support, Polish Saturday School Project for young people. 

19 Smith's Place 
EH6 8NU 

For more information visit the Polish Family Support Service website or contact  

info@pfsc.co.uk 

0131 281 0429 or

07404 633 415

Talktime Scotland  

TalkTimes Scotland aims to provide free counselling and emotional support to young people aged 12 to 25 years with a physical disability living in Scotland. Sessions can be in person, online or over the phone.

For more information visit the Talktime Scotland website, and Talktime Scotland Facebook page or to make an appointment contact 

talktimescotland@gmail.com 

07774 210 104 

Held in Our Hearts  

Held In Our Hearts is a Scottish charity providing free specialist baby bereavement support services to families following the loss of their baby.  With over 40 years experience of offering compassionate bereavement care in the community; support is available through their peer support, counselling and hospital to home services as well as through various support groups.   

For more information visit the Held In Our Hearts website or to make an appointment contact 

info@heldinourhearts.org.uk 

0131 622 6263 

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre Counselling Service in Leith

This counselling service is available for mothers, and trans and non-binary parents who live in Leith and have a child not yet in school. Sessions are suitable for those who have experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse at any time in their life. Up to six one-to-one counselling support sessions can be offered with a free creche place at Dr Bells Family Centre. For more information or to book a session contact

support@ercc.scot

07966 067 301

Still I Am- (SIA) Project - Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC)

Free and confidential long-term emotional and counselling support to women, all members of the trans community and non-binary people, from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities aged 16 years and over, who have had any form of unwanted sexual experience. Individuals can make a self-referral or someone else can make a referral on their behalf.

For more information visit the Still I Am- (SIA) Project website or contact  

SIA@ercc.scot 

07496 873 156  

Sunflower Gardens

Sunflower Gardens offers support to children aged five to 18 years based in Edinburgh who are affected by drug and/or alcohol use within their family. Children and young people benefit from having a safe and confidential space where they can explore their emotions, thoughts and feelings whilst developing positive coping strategies. The service offers counselling (including art and play therapy), one-to-one therapeutic support and group work.  Referrals are accepted from parents or professionals. 

For more information visit the Sunflower Gardens website or email

sunflowergardenproject@crossreach.org.uk 

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland

This one-to-one free counselling support is available for those who have experienced grief and loss. Information and resources are also available. For more information visit the Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland website or contact the free helpline which is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 8pm and weekends from 10am to 2pm. For more information contact

08088 026 161