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Counselling & Psychotherapy Service
Free, confidential and trauma-informed support for people who are experiencing homelessness or who have experienced homelessness within the last two years.
Unique service offering
This isn't a fixed programme with a set number of sessions or a rigid structure — support is client led and shaped around where someone is at. For clients experiencing drug or alcohol problems, the focus is not on abstinence. We just ask that clients do not attend sessions while actively under the influence.
Is this the right service for you?
People experience homelessness in different ways — including temporary accommodation, homeless hotels, time in prison, sofa surfing, or having to stay with family because they have nowhere else to live. If any of this sounds familiar, this service may be able to help.
Refer yourself, or ask a support worker to refer you.
Both forms download as Word documents.
Practical information
Sessions are usually:
- 50 minutes long
- held weekly
- face to face
- held at The Marie Trust's hub in central Glasgow
We understand that people may have different needs or circumstances, so we will try to accommodate alternative ways of keeping in contact where possible.
After a referral is received, a member of the team will get in touch to discuss the service. Counselling usually begins within a few weeks of this initial conversation.
What you can expect
Qualified therapists
Delivered by experienced, registered psychotherapists.
Confidential
A safe and confidential place to talk.
Consistent support
Clients work with the same counsellor throughout their journey.
Flexible
No fixed amount of sessions. Support is tailored to each individual rather than a fixed programme.
Art therapy
Some experiences, including homelessness and trauma, can be difficult to express in words. Art therapy offers another way for people to explore their emotions, experiences and wellbeing.
Following a successful pilot project, weekly art therapy sessions will begin at The Marie Trust's Albion Street hub from 14 August 2026.
“With art, there's less focus, so it might feel less intrusive. Often people who've experienced trauma find it's just the way trauma is stored — it's difficult to access with words alone.”
We provide counselling for people with a wide variety of experiences, including:
- mental ill health, including depression and anxiety
- childhood trauma
- domestic abuse
- drug or alcohol problems
- traumatic experiences linked to homelessness
- other past or present experiences affecting wellbeing
Our impact
- Referrals received in 2024-25
- 0Referrals received in 2024-25
- Counselling sessions delivered
- 0Counselling sessions delivered
- Clients supported each week
- 0-35Clients supported each week
“The privacy and anonymity of the service allowed me to feel safe.”
Make a referral or ask about counselling
You can refer yourself, or a support worker can refer on your behalf. Get in touch and we'll talk through what happens next.
Funded by:
Winner, 2025 GSK Impact Awards.
Ways to donate
Donations help us provide free counselling and art therapy sessions for people who have experienced homelessness and trauma, ensuring support is there when it is needed most.
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