Counselling Service

One-to-One Counselling

Individual counselling is available for those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and for those who are unsure of their sexuality. Counselling is offered on a one-to-one basis, after an initial assessment with one of our internal assessors.

Counselling can involve making a commitment to spending time with a counsellor to explore and to try to resolve a range of personal, emotional and/or sexual issues in a safe, private and confidential setting here at London Friend.

Once you have contacted us (see end of this section), and if counselling is appropriate, you will be asked in for an initial and confidential assessment interview, where further details will be taken, and from which you will be allocated to an appropriate counsellor. Depending on the length of the waiting list, it can take several weeks before a counsellor who is right for you becomes available, although we make every effort to prioritise emergency cases.

London Friend can offer 12 weeks of counselling with volunteer counsellors who are either fully qualified or working towards qualification/accreditation. All our counsellors, supervisors and assessors work within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) code of ethics, or equivalent professional body.

Counsellors who volunteer their time for London Friend all identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

We invite people accessing the counselling service to make a regular financial contribution in accordance with their income.

To find out more about the counselling service, you can call our helpline on 020 7837 3337 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Alternatively, you can contact a member of staff during office hours on 020 7833 1674. If you are attending one of the London Friend groups, speak to one of your facilitators in confidence and they will be able to put your details forward.

New TRANS Therapeutic Support Groups at London Friend

Pathway is a new therapeutic group held by London Friend. Run by qualified, experienced and trained counsellors Olivier and Emilyn, Pathway is a group for all MtF, transwomen and gender queeryers. The group will be made of a maximum of 12 participants over a period of 8 weeks, meeting on a weekly basis. London Friend is committed to provide a respectful and safe environment to explore challenges and questions around your transition and other matters. This will be a place to share, care for yourself and find emotional support. A minimum contribution of £50 (for 8 sessions) will be payable in advance. Contact London Friend for a free individual meeting to find out if Pathway is for you.

Outward is a new therapeutic group held by London Friend. Run by qualified, experienced and trained counsellors Olivier and Emilyn, Outward is a group for all FtM, transmen and gender queeryers. The group will be made of a maximum of 12 participants over a period of 8 weeks, meeting on a weekly basis. London Friend is committed to provide a respectful and safe environment to explore challenges and questions around your transition and other matters. This will be a place to share, care for yourself and find emotional support. A minimum contribution of £50 (for 8 sessions) will be payable in advance. Contact London Friend for a free individual meeting to find out if Outward is for you.

If you are interested in joining Pathway or Outward, contact London Friend on 020 7833 1674 during office hours.