Mental Health Services & Support Guide | Towards

Looking for mental health services can feel confusing before you've even started. Where do you begin? What's the difference between counselling and therapy? Is it serious enough to do something about? What's available locally in Leeds, and what can you access online?

This guide is written for anyone asking those questions, whether for themselves, for their child, or for someone they care about. We'll walk through the types of mental health services available, who they're designed for, how to access them in Leeds and across the UK, and what to expect when you take the first step.

The goal is simple. By the end, you should feel clearer about the mental health services options available to you and more confident about what to do next.

What mental health services actually cover

Mental health services are a broad term. In practice, it covers a range of professional support designed to help people manage emotional, behavioural, and psychological challenges, from day-to-day stress and low mood through to diagnosed conditions like anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD.

At the most general level, mental health services fall into a few categories.

Talking therapies

One-to-one sessions with a qualified therapist. These might be cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), person-centred counselling, psychodynamic therapy, or another approach, depending on what you're working through.

Group therapy and peer support

Structured sessions with a small group who share similar experiences. Often more affordable, and useful for people who find connection with others part of their recovery.

Counselling

Typically shorter-term, focused support for a specific life event or period of difficulty, such as grief, a relationship breakdown, or a job loss.

Specialist child and young person support

Therapy designed specifically for children, teenagers, and the families around them. This includes play-based work with younger children and CBT-informed sessions with adolescents.

The right service depends on what you're working through, what you can practically access, and what feels manageable. Most people start with a free consultation and make decisions from there.

Who mental health services are for

There's a persistent myth that therapy is only for people in crisis. It isn't. Most people who book therapy do so because something in their life isn't working the way they want it to, and they'd like help thinking it through.

At Towards, we work with:

Parents concerned about a child or teenager: If you've noticed changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, or how your child talks about themselves, it can be hard to know whether to act or wait. Our work with parents is built around exactly this.

Young people: We tailor our approach by age and by what's going on, from play-based sessions for younger children to confidential one-to-one work with teenagers.

Working professionals: Stress, burnout, relationship pressure, and the low-grade sense that something needs to change are all common reasons adults come to us.

University students: New city, new independence, new expectations. Therapy gives you a space to process the transition rather than just push through it.

Couples and families: Relationships are rarely simple. We offer specialised therapy for couples and for whole families.

If you're not sure whether your situation is "enough" to book therapy, it probably is. A first session costs nothing and carries no pressure to continue.

Dr Sarah Bateup is Chief Clinical Officer at Towards, where she leads clinical training and quality across the therapy practice. If you'd like to find out more about therapy at Towards, get in touch with our team.

Counselling options and the different ways to access support

There's no single right way to have therapy. Different formats suit different lives, and the best option is usually the one you'll actually stick with.

In-person therapy in Leeds

Our Leeds hub on Albion Place is open seven days a week, morning to evening. You can drop in without an appointment for a conversation about what therapy might look like for you, or book a full session.

Online therapy across the UK

For anyone who can't reach Leeds, or who simply prefers the flexibility of joining from home, we offer online talk therapy across the UK. Sessions run through a secure platform, at times that fit your week.

Group therapy

Small, supportive groups covering specific themes. Group therapy starts from £10 per 50-minute session, which makes sustained support more affordable where it fits what you need.

One-to-one therapy

One-to-one sessions with a therapist start from £30 per 50 minutes. You can choose online, in-person, or a combination.

Mental health resources in Leeds

If you're based in Leeds, you have a few routes to mental health support.

The NHS is the first stop for many people

You can speak to your GP, who may refer you to NHS Talking Therapies, or you can self-refer directly through the NHS website. Waiting times vary, and for some people, the wait is longer than they can reasonably hold.

Private therapy in Leeds, including Towards

This is the route people often take when waiting isn't realistic, or when they want more choice over their therapist and their schedule. Our pricing is designed to sit closer to NHS accessibility than to conventional private rates. You can get in touch if you'd like to talk through your options before booking.

Local charities and third-sector services

 These charities offer different forms of support, and we're happy to point you towards them if they're a better fit than what we offer.

What to expect when you start

Starting therapy should feel manageable, not overwhelming. Here's what the process looks like with Towards.

Sign up

Registration takes around five minutes. You'll share a little context about what's going on and what you're looking for.

Get matched

You'll be matched with a therapist within a few hours, based on your needs rather than whoever happens to be free.

First session

You and your therapist talk through what you want to work on, and decide whether it feels like the right fit. There's no pressure to continue if it isn't.

Ongoing support at your pace

If you continue, sessions run at whatever frequency works for you; weekly, fortnightly, or less often as you make progress. You're in control of the pace throughout.

Getting started with Towards

If you're ready to explore mental health services for yourself, your child, or someone you support, the next step is simple. Book your free first session, or drop in at our Leeds hub for a conversation with no booking required.

If you'd like to understand how we work before you commit to anything, our about page explains who we are and how our clinical team is structured.

FAQs

What are the signs of poor mental wellbeing?

Common signs include a persistent low mood, changes in sleep or appetite, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks, and pulling away from people around you. Not every sign means something serious, but a pattern that doesn't lift is usually worth talking through with a professional.

What counts as a serious mental health issue?

Conditions such as major depression, severe anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, and borderline personality disorder are typically described as serious mental health issues because of the impact they can have on daily life if left unsupported. A qualified therapist or your GP can help you understand what you're experiencing and what support is appropriate.

What counts as a mental health crisis?

A mental health crisis usually means you feel unsafe, you're thinking about harming yourself or someone else, or you feel unable to keep yourself safe without help. A crisis can build over time or come on quickly. If that's where you are right now, please use the crisis resources below rather than waiting for a therapy booking.

How quickly can I access support with Towards?

Most people sign up in about five minutes, get matched with a therapist within a few hours, and have their first session within five days.

Can I access therapy online if I'm not in Leeds?

Yes. Our online talk therapy is available across the UK.