can you get counselling free on the nhs?

[cheapandchic]

I think I am depressed. my marriage is not good for various reasons and its making me stressed and miserable.
can I get free counselling? I looked into relate, but its not free. We have severe money problems. I am also against medication, so I just want quality counselling...is that possible? how?

Yes you can have counselling on the NHS! There might be a long waiting list.

IAPT - info here was set up for this exact reason, to give people talk therapy who are not acutely mentally unwell.

Relate isn't free, but they offer (or always did) reduced fees for those who are unable to pay the full amount, so look into that, maybe

I haven't worked in primary care for some time, but the way to get an appointment with me (as a counsellor) was to get a GP referral into the service, but different practices work in different ways, so maybe phone the receptionist and ask.

The type (and quality cough) of counselling offered in primary care varies, as do the number of sessions offered. I worked fairly independently, so was able to offer longer contracts, but it wasn't unusual to only be offered 4-6 sessions, which although maybe better than nothing, in my opinion and experience, its rarely enough