The Lothian Deaf Counselling Service provides a free confidential counselling service for those aged 18 or over who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind. The service is available throughout Lothian for those who would benefit from a counselling service specially designed to meet their needs.
Counselling is offered in British Sign Language (without interpreter) and also in English. A personal loop system and communication in written English are available for people who are deafened or hard of hearing. This counselling service offers telephone and video counselling (face to face counselling is currently suspended due to COVID-19).
The service is provided by Health in Mind, in association with NHS Lothian.
What is counselling?
Counselling is a confidential and supportive relationship with someone who is trained and experienced in helping people talk about the difficulties they are experiencing in their lives and helps to build trust and overcome personal challenges to take greater control of life.
Who are the counsellors?
One of the service’s counsellors is deaf and the others have extensive experience of working with deaf people and receive professional supervision.
Who to refer:
Anyone who is deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind who would benefit from counselling services, is aged over 18, and living in Lothian.
How to refer:
People can self-refer or be referred to the service by a GP, Social Work, Audiology, Community Mental Health Team or other health professional.
For further details please see the Lothian Deaf Counselling Service website.
