A NEW counselling and mental health service has opened at York St John University to offer support to people in the city.

The part-time clinic based in Lord Mayor's Walk will offer general counselling for conditions including depression, anxiety, stress, trauma, relationship problems, bereavement and loss.

A specialist counselling service for victims of domestic violence and an anger management group will also be included in the service, which will charge a sliding fee from £5 to £50 based on the client's income.

The university will use the service to accumulate practice-based research with the aim of allowing clinical trials.

Lynne Gabriel, clinic director, said: “We were delighted to have York St John’s support to drive forward on the clinic venture. What we are offering here is unique in the university sector – a specialist counselling and mental health service for victims of domestic violence. Importantly, we provide general counselling that is low-cost and evidence based, to the citizens of York and North Yorkshire.

"We can provide student placements and create opportunities for staff-student research projects, aimed at developing knowledge and enhancing good practice. The clinic brings together colleagues from across a range of mental health, allied health and psychology disciplines, to foster interdisciplinary practice and research, aimed at enhancing and innovating therapeutic services to local and regional citizens."

The clinic is led by the clinic directors, Lynne Gabriel, associate professor of counselling and reader in counselling, coaching and ethics and Hazel James, head of programme for counselling, coaching and mentoring. They are supported by a team of specialist counsellors, researchers and student research assistants.

The clinic can offer up to 20 sessions after an initial face to face consultation to assess a client's needs.

The counselling service will be held on a Wednesday evening, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. It is located in the wellbeing suite on the ground floor of the Holgate Building, on York St John’s Lord Mayor’s Walk campus.

- NHS, voluntary and private sector agencies can refer clients to the clinic, or individuals can choose to refer themselves. Clients can make an appointment through calling the clinic on 01904 876072 and leaving a message on a confidential telephone line, or emailing the clinic at CMHC@yorksj.ac.uk