Free online counselling & mental health support for young people
Whatever’s on your mind, Kooth’s online counselling can help.
Online counselling designed for young people
Kooth’s online counselling is trusted by over a million young people to support them with their mental health and wellbeing.
We offer online counselling and mental health support in partnership with the NHS. Kooth is free, anonymous and a safe space to explore your feelings.
Our online counselling is delivered via live text chat with a qualified counsellor or trained practitioner. There are no waiting lists and you don’t need to have seen a doctor first.
Why choose Kooth online counselling?
Convenient
Our online counselling and mental health support services meet you where you are. You can access support wherever you feel comfortable, at a time that suits you. Our trained practitioners work evenings and weekends to make it easier for young people to chat with them.
There’s no need for a referral from your GP or school, and you don’t need to commit to anything.
No pressure
For many young people text chat is preferable to in-person counselling. There’s no need to be concerned about body language, eye contact or any other social cues that can feel awkward when talking to someone new. And because everything is written down, your counsellor can keep track of your progress and keep up to speed with your conversations if you have more than one session.
Mobile-friendly
We designed Kooth to work really well on mobile devices, like phones or tablets.
You can use Kooth on the go, at home, or wherever you are.
Using live text chat is just like sending text messages.
Of course, you can find support on Kooth just as well on desktop computers and laptops.
Why choose Kooth online counselling?
Convenient
Our online counselling and mental health support services meet you where you are. You can access support wherever you feel comfortable, at a time that suits you. Our trained practitioners work evenings and weekends to make it easier for young people to chat with them.
There’s no need for a referral from your GP or school, and you don’t need to commit to a program of chat sessions.
No pressure
For many young people text chat is preferable to in-person counselling. There’s no need to be concerned about body language, eye contact or any other social cues that can feel awkward when talking to someone new.
And because everything is written down, your counsellor can keep track of your progress and keep up to speed with your conversations if you have more than one session.
Mobile-friendly
We designed Kooth to work really well on mobile devices, like phones or tablets.
You can use Kooth on the go, at home, or wherever you are.
Using live text chat is just like sending text messages.
Of course, you can find support on Kooth just as well on desktop computers and laptops.
What our community is saying
“I value all the support Kooth has provided me. I don’t think it would have been possible if I didn’t have the support of the counsellors.”
Meet some of our Qualified Counsellors
Hi, my name is Layla and I have a degree in clinical psychology. I have a passion for supporting young people through mental health struggles and providing support for those that need it here at Kooth. In my free time I love to play the guitar and perform music. Remember, there is always someone here to listen.
Hi there, I'm Aaren. I’m a fully qualified, practising counsellor professionally accredited with The National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society. I have extensive experience in online therapy with young people and adults. I am passionate about working with, supporting and improving an Individual's enjoyment of life and their understanding of their situation. My practice is adaptable and flexible to suit your individual needs.
Hello my name is Anne, I am one of the online Counsellors here at Kooth. I have an advanced professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic counselling and a Diploma in trauma and crisis counselling. I chose to work at Kooth as I care about young people and their mental wellbeing. I feel that Kooth is a safe place for young people to come and be completely anonymous if they chose to be, making it less daunting to talk about any issues. In my spare time I like to walk my dog, or should I say that he likes to walk me!
Hello there, my name is Amanda and I am a Counsellor here at Kooth. I have a BA (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I chose to work at Kooth because I believe young people should have free access to mental health support and I always try to help you remember that mental health is not a destination but a journey. My cat often sits on my shoulder when working, even when I walk around during my break…
Professional support and advice via online chat sessions lasts up to 1 hour. To request a chat, simply select “chat” on the homepage and then “join that chat queue”. The text-based chat means there are no voice calls or video calls involved when you speak with the Kooth team.
We try our best to chat with everyone, but if you are unable to get a chat right away, we recommend waiting a short while but if the wait is too long for you, try again another day or use the message option and we will respond – like an email. counselling sessions are available from 12 noon until 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 10pm on weekends.
Kooth is anonymous which means that we don’t ask you for details that enable us to identify you, like your name, email or phone number, and we don’t record or track IP addresses.
Kooth is accredited by the BCAP, we have a large team of counsellors and emotional wellbeing practitioners, you can find out more about the team on the meet the team page here.
All content is fully moderated by the team in order to provide a safe and age-appropriate space.
Kooth is available for anyone aged between 11 and 25 in North Central London, no referral is needed, you can just register on the site and use any part of the site you choose, in your own time.
Kooth can be accessed on any device that is connected to the internet. Kooth is a website platform so you do not need to download an app.
Join Kooth for free and try our online counselling today
Signing up only takes a few minutes. We need to know a few details about you, such as the town you live in and some basic information. However, nobody on Kooth will know who you are.
You can be completely anonymous, which helps a lot of young people feel more confident when seeking online counselling.
TESTIMONIALS
What they say about us
Frequently Asked Questions
Kooth is delivered in partnership with the NHS to provide free mental health support to young people.
Kooth is not a crisis support service. If you need urgent support, please dial 999 or contact urgent support services.
In some areas, Kooth is available to people aged between 18-25. We also have an adults service called Qwell. It’s available to adults in many areas across the UK. Please visit qwell.io to find out more.
Kooth is commissioned by many NHS bodies, and also by many Police Commissioning Services across the UK.
Kooth is a completely anonymous service. For further information on our data and privacy policy, please visit https://www.kooth.com/privacy
Kooth is available wherever it has been commissioned. We are active in many areas of the UK. To find out more, visit kooth.com
Understanding our users’ backgrounds helps us check that the services we provide are reaching as many people, from as many backgrounds, as possible. It also helps us signpost you to the right services & support. Historically, some sections of society slip through the cracks of traditional mental health support. We are dedicated to ensuring this doesn’t happen with Kooth, and really appreciate your help.