Counselling

Please note the counselling service at Yorkshire MESMAC cannot respond to crisis emotional / mental health situations.

If you feel you are in need of crisis emotional / mental health support - contact your GP or telephone the Samaritans national support line on 116 123 - their telephone line is open 24/7.

MESMAC can offer six free online or phone counselling sessions delivered by counsellors with training and experience of how best to support LGBTQIA+ people. Our service is available to people based in or around Leeds and Bradford who meet any of the following criteria:

  • Any LGBTQIA+ people
  • Any men who are attracted to or have sex with men
  • Couples: both couples in which both members are LGBTQIA+ or where just one member is LGBTQIA+
  • People who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity
What is counselling?
  • A counsellor will not tell you what to do however they will provide you with the space to talk things through and find a way through your own problems.
  • A counsellor is someone who is a good listener.
  • A counsellor provides a confidential space.
  • A counsellor is someone you can talk to who is not involved in your life.

Situations where our counselling service might be useful:

While anyone who meets the above criteria can access our counselling, some situations in which our counselling may be useful include:

  • If you have been the victim of a hate crime or bullying because of your sexuality
  • If you are suffering because of your own or other people's attitudes to 'coming out' and your sexuality
  • If you are suffering because of your own or other people's attitudes to your HIV status
  • If you are not confident enough to negotiate the kind of sex or relationships you want

What will happen once you are referred for counselling?
  • The information you give us will be sent to the MESMAC Counselling Coordinator via email, who will then pass it on to the most appropriate member of our counselling team.
  • They will then contact the person being referred as soon as possible.
  • If our Counselling Coordinator needs any more information from you they may contact you directly.
  • No information that can identify the person being referred will be stored electronically once the referral is made. 
  • MESMAC’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator can be contacted directly in case of any queries on 07710 099 028 / a.dickson@mesmac.co.uk.

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Arrange counselling for yourself

If you meet the above criteria, please fill in a self referral form
Find out more

Arrange counselling for someone else

If they meet the above criteria, please fill in a referral form
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Interested in joining our pool of counsellors?

If you're a registered counsellor in private practice or self-employed, we'd love to hear from you! Please fill out an expression of interest
Find out more
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