Free counselling and wellbeing support
for children, young people, and families in the Scottish Borders
Find trusted routes to free emotional support — from early wellbeing help to specialist counselling.
Choose your route to support
Stepping Stones
First-step wellbeing support
(ages 10-18)
Short-term sessions helping young people build confidence, emotional literacy, and resilience.
The programme provides a first step for anyone beginning to look for wellbeing or emotional support.
Delivered through local youth clubs and coordinated by Youth Borders.
MYPAS
School-based counselling
(ages 10-18)
Free counselling available in all primary and secondary schools across the Scottish Borders.
If a young person attends school, this is usually the first route for support, as help can often begin quickly and within a familiar setting.
Enquiries are made directly through the school’s wellbeing or guidance team.
Insight Youth
Therapeutic counselling
(ages 8-25)
Free counselling for young people who can’t access school-based support or would benefit from work beyond it.
For situations where deeper work on anxiety, low mood, or self-esteem is needed, or when other routes haven’t been successful.
Available at dedicated therapy hubs in Kelso, Tweedbank and Hawick.
What to expect from free counselling and wellbeing support
Borders Therapy Hub highlights some of the recognised organisations in the Scottish Borders that provide free counselling or emotional-wellbeing support for children and young people.
It is not a complete directory of every local service, but a way to make it easier to see a few of the main routes people commonly use.
Each organisation manages its own referrals, waiting times, and approach. Borders Therapy Hub does not deliver or monitor these services and cannot guarantee availability or suitability.
In general, support from these providers offers a safe and confidential space to talk about how you’re feeling, understand what’s happening, and explore ways of coping or moving forward.
Sessions may take place in schools, youth clubs, community settings, or specially designed therapy rooms depending on the route chosen.
If free support isn’t the right fit
Not everyone is eligible for free counselling, and some people prefer to begin sooner, choose who they work with, or seek highly specialised support.
Borders Therapy Hub also lists affordable and private options for adults, families, and young people who want more flexibility or a different type of service.
Other sources of help
Borders Therapy Hub is not a full directory of every counselling or wellbeing service in the Scottish Borders.
You can also find support through NHS Borders, your GP, or national helplines such as:
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Childline – 0800 1111
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Samaritans – 116 123
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Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.