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. 

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.

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.

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.

Our waiting list is now closed until 20th April 2026

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.
• The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW
• 01392 411611
• 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

National Listening Services

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

Alcoholics Anonymous UK
Phone: 0800 9177 650 – Website: www.alcoholics anonymous.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous UK
Phone: 0300 999 1212 - Website: https://ukna.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 - Website: https://www.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/

Silver Line
7 days a week A confidential, free helpline for people over 55 across the UK They also offer
friendship calls. Whenever feelings of isolation, worry, or loneliness strike - Call Silver Line
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90 24-hours a day,

Beat
The UK’s leading eating disorder charity, offering support via phone, web chat, email ans social
media. They provide self-help guides, online workshops, and a carer community for those
supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Tel: 0300 123 3355 – Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

NSPCC
Help for adults concerned about a child
Phone: 0808 800 5000
Help for children and young people
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Local Support

Alternatives to the Iron Mill counselling Service – The following organisations are not able to
provide emergency support but provide general counselling to the public. You may wish to
consider contacting them if the Iron Mill Counselling Service is not able to meet your needs.

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

Cruse Bereavement Care – Exeter
Cruse Bereavement Support offers a range of services to help individuals cope with grief and loss,
including emotional support, counselling, and resources for bereaved people.
Address: 3 Palace Gate, Exeter, EX1 1JA – Telephone: 0300 330 5466
Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Relate – Exeter (covering East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, West Devon).
Counselling services include relationship counselling, family counselling, children's counselling,
young people's counselling and sex therapy.
Address: Verney House, 115 Sidwell Street, Exeter, EX4 6RY.
Telephone: 0300 772 9681 / 0300 100 1234 – Website: www.relate.org.uk

Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services
24/7 Support line offering confidential and emotional support
Telephone: 01392 204174 / 0808 500 2222 – Website: www.devonrapecrisis.org.uk

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

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/

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD)
Provides NHS integrated care and treatment across physical and mental health for children, young
people and their families in Devon.
Telephone: 0330 0245 321 – Website: www.childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk

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

Parental Minds Counselling
Gives support to families who are struggling with their mental health and is available to all
Parents/Carers and those aged 16-25.
Phone: 07907 614 516 – Website: www.parentalminds.org.uk

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

Emergency Contacts for Mental Health Crisis

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

Mental Health Crisis Team – Poole
Phone: 01305 214500
(5-11pm weekdays, 9am-11pm weekends and bank holidays)

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

National Listening Services

Samaritans
24/7 support for anyone in distress.
Phone: 116 123
Shout
24/7 text support for anyone in the UK.
Text: 85258

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/

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

HOPELINEUK (PAPYRUS)
Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

NSPCC
Help for adults concerned about a child
Phone: 0808 800 5000
Help for children and young people
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: www.nspcc.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
Website: https://www.lgbt.foundation

Alcoholics Anonymous UK
Phone: 0800 9177 650
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Narcotics Anonymous UK
Phone: 0300 999 1212
Website: https://ukna.org/

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/

Silver Line
7 days a week A confidential, free helpline for people over 55 across the UK They also offer
friendship calls. Whenever feelings of isolation, worry, or loneliness strike - Call Silver Line
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90 24-hours a day,

Beat
The UK’s leading eating disorder charity, offering support via phone, web chat, email ans social
media. They provide self-help guides, online workshops, and a carer community for those
supporting someone with an eating disorder.
Tel: 0300 123 3355 – Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Local Support

Connection
24/7 helpline for all ages
Phone: 0800 652 0190 or NHS 111

The Retreat
Safe space for face-to-face help (18+):
Bournemouth: 4.30-11.30pm daily
Dorchester: 4.30-11.30pm, Saturday-Wednesday

Community Front Rooms
Safe spaces for discussions and support (18+):
Bridport, Shaftesbury, Weymouth, Wareham: Thursday-Sunday, 2.15-9.45pm

The Dorset Practice
Offers counselling and therapy for individuals, couples, and families:
Address: Top Floor, 40-42 High Street, Old Poole, Poole BH15 1BT
Phone: 01202 022100
Website: www.thedorsetpractice.co.uk

Poole Community Counselling CIC
Offers low-cost counselling services to adults, with fees ranging from £15-30 based on household
income and personal circumstances.
Address: 42 High Street, Poole
Phone: 07745 212041
Website: www.poolecommunitycounsellingcic.org

EDAS (Essential Drugs & Alcohol Services)
Provides free and low-cost mental health and addiction counselling support for adults and young
people. They also offer peer support groups and warm space drop-ins.
Address: 56 Ashley Road, Poole
Phone: 01202 733322 Website: www.edasuk.org

Dorset Mind
Offers a range of mental health support services, including low-cost counselling, peer support
groups, and educational workshops.
Address: 8 Stratfield Saye, 20-22 Wellington Road, Bournemouth
Phone: 01202 315329 Website: www.dorsetmind.uk

Steps 2 Wellbeing
Provides free, confidential, NHS mental health services for adults experiencing common mental
health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Phone: 0300 790 0542
Website: www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk

The Lantern Trust
Offers support for vulnerable and marginalised people, including mental health support,
counselling, and practical assistance.
Address: 2 Ranelagh Road, Weymouth
Phone: 01305 787940
Website: www.lanterntrust.org.uk

Relate – Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch
The UK's largest provider of relationship, family counselling and sex therapy
Phone: 01202 311231
Website: www.relate-bournemouth.org.uk

Children and Young People

HOPELINEUK (PAPYRUS)
Support for anyone under 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

ChildLine:
A free helpline for children and young people in the UK.
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: http://www.childline.org.uk/

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)

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) - Dorset HealthCare
Offers assessment and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are
experiencing significant mental health difficulties. Services include one-to-one therapy, family
therapy, and inpatient care if needed.
Website: www.camhsdorset.org

Young People's Mental Health Hub - Dorset Youth
Provides mental health and emotional support services for young people, including resources for
anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and more.
Website: www.dorsetyouth.com

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/

Chat Health – Dorset
A confidential text messaging service for young people (aged 11-19) to contact their local public
health nursing team for advice and support.
Text: 07480 635511

The Rendezvous - North Dorset
Provides support for young people on issues such as bullying, eating disorders, gender identity,
self-harm, stress, and anxiety.
Website: www.therendezvous.org.uk

SPACE - LGBTQ+ Support
Offers support for young people who are or may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or questioning
their sexuality and/or gender identity. Website: www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk

Mosaic
A Dorset-wide charity offering support to bereaved children, young people, and their families, as
well as those facing the death of a loved one.
Website: www.mosaicfamilysupport.org

STARS (Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service)
Provides one-to-one, trauma-informed counselling, free of charge, for anyone of any age or
gender who lives, works, or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at
any time in their life.
General Enquiries: 01202 308840
Support Line: 01202 308855
Referrals: 01202 308 840
Website: www.starsdorset.org

Services for Parents of Youth in Crisis

Dorset Youth's Parent Mental Health Hub
Provides mental health and emotional support services for parents and their young people,
including self-care resources, crisis support, and tips and advice.
Website: www.dorsetyouth.com/mental-health-parent

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
A peer support organization for parents who are parenting a child struggling with their mental
health. They offer online support groups, resources, and advice.
Website: www.parentingmentalhealth.org

MindEd for Families
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
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/