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Your Trusted Counselling Partner in Northern Ireland
Contact is Northern Ireland's leading independent counselling service, dedicated to providing free, confidential mental health support for individuals of all ages. Established to address emotional and psychological challenges, we operate through a network of community-based centres and outreach programmes, ensuring accessibility across diverse regions. Our team comprises professionally qualified counsellors and volunteers undergoing clinical placements, all committed to fostering resilience and wellbeing.We prioritise client feedback to continually refine our services, which include crisis intervention, trauma recovery, and school-based counselling. As a registered charity, we rely on donations to maintain our mission of making mental healthcare universally accessible, embodying values of empathy, inclusivity, and community-driven support.
Services
Community-based counselling
Lifeline Crisis Helpline
School Counselling
Creative Art Therapy
Clinical Placements
Highlights and features
- We are Northern Ireland's longest-established independent counselling charity.
- All services are completely free and accessible to individuals of all ages.
- Our counsellors hold professional qualifications and clinical experience.
- Community-based centres ensure localised mental health support nationwide.
- Volunteer counsellors contribute to clinical training while serving communities.
What people say
Free confidential counselling
24/7 crisis helpline
Community-focused approach
Services
Community-based counselling
Confidential face-to-face counselling sessions conducted in accessible community locations across Northern Ireland. Our qualified professionals address anxiety, trauma, grief, and relationship challenges through tailored therapeutic approaches. Services are available to individuals of all ages, ensuring mental health support reaches underserved areas.
Lifeline Crisis Helpline
Regional 24/7 telephone crisis intervention service for urgent mental health needs. Trained counsellors provide immediate emotional support, suicide prevention, and referral services. Available free of charge to all Northern Ireland residents through dedicated helpline numbers.
School Counselling
Specialised mental health support within educational institutions for students and staff. Programmes address academic stress, bullying, family issues, and developmental challenges through age-appropriate therapeutic methods. Available in participating schools and further education colleges.
Creative Art Therapy
Non-verbal therapeutic approach combining artistic expression with traditional counselling techniques. Particularly effective for trauma survivors, individuals with communication difficulties, and children. Utilises painting, sculpture, and sand therapy to explore emotional experiences and promote healing.
Clinical Placements
Supervised practical training for aspiring counsellors completing professional qualifications. Volunteers gain hands-on experience while delivering community-based services. Programme integrates theoretical learning with real-world mental health interventions under senior professional guidance.
People
Alan Houston
Chair
Experienced governance professional with extensive non-executive director experience in healthcare and education sectors across Northern Ireland.
Fergus Cumiskey
Managing Director
Chartered psychologist with over 25 years' leadership in mental health service delivery and organisational development within public and voluntary sectors.
Carrie Montgomery
Director of Operations
Senior mental health professional specialising in service implementation and quality assurance frameworks for community-based therapeutic interventions.
Questions
How can I access crisis support?
Call our 24/7 Lifeline helpline at 0808 808 8000 for immediate assistance.
Do you offer services for children and adolescents?
Yes, through school programmes and age-specific therapies like play and art therapy.
