Counselling Service
Professional and affordable counselling for individuals in-person, online and by phone
Pay Fees
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We are here to listen!Whether you need just a few sessions to deal with an immediate problem or would like to work long-term on a deeper issue, we can help.
Call 01392 499388or email counselling@ironmill.co.uk09:30 - 17:00 hrs Mondays |
Iron Mill Counselling Service (IMCS) offers a professional, affordable counselling service in Central Exeter. We also offer telephone and online counselling.
Counselling offers a safe space to explore any difficulties you are experiencing in your life, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disabilities.
- Individual counselling for adults
- Open to the public - referral letters are not necessary
- Daytime and evening appointments
- Low counselling fees
The majority of our counsellors and psychotherapists are mature students in advanced professional training at Iron Mill College and work for the service voluntarily. All counsellors are supported by experienced supervisors and are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
IMCS is a popular service and operates a waiting list. The information in the tabs below provides further details about our initial consultations and provision of counselling, which may be helpful for you to read if you would like further information.
You are welcome to get in touch and we’ll arrange a free-of-charge initial phone call and/or initial consultation session to discuss your needs and whether we can be of assistance.
What is counselling?
Counselling is a confidential process where people are provided with a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space to discuss issues, concerns, emotions & behaviours.
Our counsellors can help support you with a variety of issues, including (but not limited to):
- Self-esteem issues.
- Relationship issues.
- Loss, bereavement, and separation issues.
- Depression and Anxiety.
- Family issues.
- Workplace or educational difficulties.
- Emotional problems related to physical health issues.
- Life stage issues and transitions such as becoming a parent, or retirement.
However, if you can't find the answer you're looking for, or need further help or information, do not hesitate to contact us at 01392 499388 or email counselling@ironmill.co.uk.
What can I expect?
You can expect to be provided with a non-judgmental approach by a respectful, open, and genuine person.
Your counsellor will not give advice, direction, or solutions to problems or issues, but they will support you in gaining insight and new perspectives. Each session lasts 50 minutes and you will meet with your counsellor on a weekly basis. You may terminate therapy at any time. We have male and female counsellors and a choice of weekday and evening appointments.
Sessions with your counsellor are confidential. However, counsellors are obligated to break confidentiality if you disclose that you intend to harm yourself or another person or if you reveal current abuse of a minor.
Opening hours & location
Iron Mill Counselling Service is based in 'The Quadrangle' at Iron Mill College in Exeter, 7 Barnfield Crescent, Southernhay East, EX1 1QT (just to the rear of 'Morwenstow') . We offer in-person, online and telephone counselling.
For full details of our location, public transport, and parking, click here.
The service operates from 9:30 until 17:00 on Mondays and from 9:30 until 20:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Please note that we are closed during bank holidays and for a period over Christmas – please see notifications on the home page during this time for details of the college closure period.
How much will it cost?
When you first get in touch, we’ll arrange a free initial consultation to assess your requirements. You will then be matched to a suitable counsellor for subsequent sessions, which last 50 minutes and cost £30.
The service also offers a limited number of further reduced-cost spaces for those facing financial hardship.
Our counselling service is a not-for-profit initiative of Iron Mill College and aims to make counselling more accessible - offering a safe, professional yet affordable service.
How do I book?
Our waiting list is now closed until 20th April 2026
FAQs
What can IMCS not help with?
IMCS is very careful to ensure we offer a safe service, which means we will only offer a counselling place to you if we believe we have therapists on the team who can help you and who have an appropriate level of skill and experience. We cannot offer counselling support to people who
- are in acute mental health crisis
- are not registered with a GP locally
- have current serious untreated addiction issues
- are under 18 years of age
- do not have the capacity to give informed consent for counselling
- have requirements that sit outside the expertise or capacity of the service
If we cannot help, we will explain why, and where possible will signpost you to suitable sources of support.
What is an initial phone call/consultation?
Most people will be offered an initial telephone consultation. This is not a counselling session. The purpose is to give you the chance to speak with a senior member of the team, who will
- listen to the reasons you would like counselling, and help assess whether this is the right service for you at this time
- explain more about the service, and give you the chance to ask questions so you can make an informed choice
- establish your availability and any other preferences
- talk about the process and what to expect
- talk about practicalities such as cost/ payment and take some initial information
How long will I have to wait?
The service cannot give a ‘one size fits all’ answer to this question, as every arrangement is unique. Factors depend upon how many people are waiting for counselling, what your availability is, what you might need, and when a suitably experienced therapist becomes available. The wait can be from three weeks to several months. Sometimes if we have been trying for 3 - 4 months and are still unable to secure a suitable arrangement, despite our best efforts, we will contact you to reassess the situation. The service does not routinely contact people on the waiting lists until an arrangement has been made, but you may phone to check on progress at any time while on our waiting list.
I need help urgently – can someone see me?
We are not able to manage emergencies or provide ongoing crisis support, but if you or someone you know needs urgent help relating to their mental health, please refer to our information below.
Can I have flexible appointments?
Our counsellors offer you a commitment and reserve your weekly session and will not allocate this time to anyone else. For this reason, we ask you to commit to attending weekly sessions. We cannot offer sessions fortnightly, monthly or intermittently, and we cannot offer extended or repeated breaks during your counselling contract.
Emergency Contacts for Mental Health Crisis
First Response Service (FRS)
Provides urgent mental health care, advice, and guidance 24/7 for people with mental health and learning disability needs.
Phone: NHS 111 (select mental health option)
Accident and Emergency (A&E)
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feel that you may be at risk of acting on these feelings.
If you feel you may be at risk of harming yourself or others.
If you have caused serious harm to yourself and need urgent medical attention.
· Poole Hospital, Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB
· Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, BH7 7DW
· Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, BH23 2JX
Or call 999
Emergency GP Appointment - Contact your GP Surgery
If you need urgent support, but your immediate safety is not at risk
If you have caused harm to yourself and need medical attention
Out of Hours (follow advice on Surgery out-of-hours message)
OR dial 111 for free 24hr NHS helpline
Samaritans
24/7 support for anyone in distress.
Phone: 116 123
SANEline
A national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 304 7000 Website: http://www.sane.org.uk/
Shout
24/7 text support for anyone in the UK.
Text: 85258
HOPELINEUK (PAPYRUS)
Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860 039967 Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Rape Crisis England & Wales
National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone over the age of 16.
Phone: 0808 500 2222 Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk which has a live chat facility which can be accessed 24/7
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Phone: 0808 2000 247 Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
ChildLine
A free helpline for children and young people in the UK.
Phone: 0800 1111 Website: http://www.childline.org.uk/
LGBT Foundation
Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30 Email: helpline@lgbt.foundation
Talk to Frank
Free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day via email or telephone (calls from landlines are free and won’t show up on the phone bill).
Phone: 0300 1236600 Website: http://www.talktofrank.com/
Local Support
The Moorings @ Devon
Offers mental health support in a welcoming, safe, non-judgmental environment.
Locations:
· Exeter: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5AF
· Barnstaple: The Voice Meeting Rooms, Belle Meadow Court, Albert Lane, Barnstaple, EX32 8RJ
· Torquay: South Devon & Torbay Mental Health Centre, Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, TQ2 7AA
Phone: 07990 790920 Website: www.mhm.org.uk/the-moorings-devon
TALKWORKS
Free and confidential NHS talking therapies service for adults (18+).
Address: Compass House, 52 Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX2 4TL
Phone: 0300 555 3344 Website: www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/talkworks-exeter
Devon Mind
Offers affordable, high-quality counselling services.
Phone: 01752 512280 Website: www.devonmind.com
The Margaret Jackson Centre
Provides affordable one-to-one counselling sessions.
Address: 1 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter, EX1 1QT
Phone: 01392 256711 Website: www.margaretjackson.org.uk
Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA)
Partnership between six organizations providing mental health support. Website: www.mentalhealthdevon.co.uk
Community Mental Health Team - Exeter
Specialist assessment and treatment for adults experiencing mental health difficulties.
Address: Wonford House, Dryden Road, Exeter, EX2 5AF Website: www.dpt.nhs.uk/locations/community-mental-health-team-exeter
Children and Young People
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)
Provides crisis support for children and young people under 18.
Phone: 03300 245 321 (office hours) or 0300 555 5000 (out-of-hours)
Young Devon / Exeter YES Centre
Offers support for young people, including mental health services.
Provides community-based and school-based counselling for young people.
Address: 22 Cathedral Yard, Exeter, EX1 1HB
Phone: 01392 331666 Website: www.youngdevon.org
Services for Parents of Youth in Crisis
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
Offers a free, confidential helpline for parents and carers who are worried about a child or young person under 25. They also provide a webchat service and online advice.
Phone: 0808 802 5544 Website: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/
Parenting Mental Health
Peer support organization for parents of children struggling with mental health. Website: www.parentingmentalhealth.org
MindEd for Families
Description: Provides safe and reliable advice about young people’s mental health, created by experts and parents together. It includes information on signs, symptoms, and where to go for support. Website: www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk
NSPCC
Description: Offers support and advice for parents dealing with various issues, including mental health problems in children and young people.
Phone: 0808 800 5000 Website: www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/
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