There are many ways to get talk therapy such as counselling and psychotherapy for free or at a low cost.
Usually you can contact an organisation yourself (self-refer). But in some cases you may need a referral.
Some people choose to get therapy privately (pay for therapy).
If you are unsure about talk therapy
Talking to your GP
Even if you decide to find talk therapy yourself, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.
Your GP:
- will listen to you
- will help find the cause of your mental health difficulties
- may do tests
- may give advice
- can tell you what treatment might help
- recommend talk therapy and tell you ways to get it
- prescribe medicine
They may refer you to:
- SilverCloud - a guided digital cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) service
- Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC)
- Primary Care Psychology
If they think you may have moderate to severe mental health difficulties, they may refer you to other services.
If you have more severe mental health difficulties
Talk therapy can also be part of treatment for severe, long-term or complex mental health difficulties.
For example, treatment through:
- a community mental health team
- specialist services for long-term or complex mental health difficulties
You need a referral from your GP or another health professional to access them. Only a small number of people need specialist services.
Ways to get talk therapy
We provide talk therapy in different ways.
This can be through:
- organisations we work with
- the National Counselling Service - including CIPC
- SilverCloud - a guided digital CBT service
- Primary Care Psychology
- your hospital, if you are getting treatment
Other ways you may be able to get free or low cost talk therapy include:
- a community cancer support centre if you or a family member has cancer
- school, college, work and your health insurance
You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health difficulty to get talk therapy.
Organisations we work with
We fund (pay) other organisations to offer mental health supports and services. Sometimes the organisations we work with are called partner organisations.
You can get counselling or psychotherapy for free or at a low cost through these.
Pieta
Free support for people who self harm, are thinking about suicide or people bereaved by suicide.
Jigsaw
Mental health advice and support for young people age 12 to 25, and for parents or concerned adults.
Aware
Support for people experiencing:
- anxiety
- mild to moderate depression
- bipolar disorder
- mood-related mental health difficulties
Aware also provides support for friends and family members.
Connect Counselling
Anonymous phone counselling service for survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. This includes former residents of mother and baby homes. You can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor.
Connect Counselling's phone service for men
Confidential phone service for men who are over 18 and have mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
Talk to a trained therapist:
- about any mental health concerns you have
- if you need emotional support 'in the moment'
- if you need help coping with stress, a difficult situation or feelings
They will:
- help you make sense of a situation or mental health difficulties and what might help
- give information, advice and guidance
- tell you about other resources, supports and services
MyMind
A non-profit organisation that provides counselling services online and in person.
This includes:
- 6 free therapy sessions for men - your GP can give you a code to access these
- low cost and affordable therapy - you do not need a referral
- private therapy - you do not need a referral
Turn2Me
Free online talk therapy for adults and online support groups for young people age 12 to 17 and adults.
Traveller Counselling Service
Free online and in-person counselling service for the Traveller community.
Organisation for Ex-Service Personnel (ONE)
Talk therapy and telephone supports for former members of the Defence Forces.
Minding Creative Minds
Free wellbeing and support for people in the creative sector, including counselling.
Find other supports and services such as helplines, advice support groups
School, college, work and your health insurance
You may be able to get free therapy through:
- your school, college or university
- an employee assistance service or programme
- your health insurance provider
Contact the organisation to ask what mental health supports they offer.
Mental health information line
Contact our mental health information line to find supports and services for your needs.
Freephone: 1800 111 888
Any time day or night.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- your situation changes and is getting worse
Things you can do if you are waiting for talk therapy
There are things you can do to look after your mental health while you are waiting for an appointment.
Do
-
ask your GP for advice
-
ask your GP about SilverCloud, an online course based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
-
ask your GP about other ways you can get free or low cost talk therapy
-
find other supports and services such as helplines, advice and support groups
-
find out about treatment for specific mental health difficulties
-
do the Balancing Stress course
You may choose to get therapy privately - this means you will have to pay for it.