Free specialist counselling
Our online Counselling Service is available to people affected by motor neuron disease (MND), including their partners, family members, and carers. Giving them the opportunity to access up to 8 free
one-to-one counselling sessions.
These sessions are led by a qualified therapist and could help you understand and manage difficult feelings you may be experiencing.
Who our Counselling Service is for
Our free counselling service is available to anyone aged over 18 who has been affected by motor neuron disease and lives in Scotland.
If your voice has been affected by MND you can still access this service. We have counsellors who are experienced in using different methods of communication and working with people using communications aids.
We know a diagnosis of MND can be extremely overwhelming and lead to people experiencing a wide range of difficult emotions. So, if you’re struggling in any way right now, please do get in touch with us.
Talking to someone outside your family or circle of friends may help you better understand your feelings and manage them more effectively.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Living with MND can bring huge emotional challenges, not only for the person diagnosed, but also for their families and carers.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, often known as ACT, is an evidence-based approach that can help people manage difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences, while staying connected to what matters most to them.
Our counsellors are now fully trained in ACT, a significant step forward for our counselling service and a really important development for the people we support. Having counsellors trained in ACT means we can offer even more skilled, compassionate and meaningful support at a time when people may be facing uncertainty, change and difficult decisions.
At MND Scotland, we are proud to provide free counselling directly to people affected by MND. This support is not simply signposted elsewhere — it is delivered by our own specialist counselling team, who understand the impact MND can have on individuals, families and carers.
Everyone’s experience of MND is different, and so is the kind of support that feels right.
You might want to explore your emotions on your own at first, get information online, or speak with a trained counsellor.
The options below can help you decide what kind of support best meets your needs.
If you’re not ready to talk to someone yet, or just want to understand more about how you’re feeling, our self-help guides can be a good place to start.
They include information and practical exercises to help you:
– Understand and manage feelings such as anxiety, stress or sadness.
– Learn coping strategies to support your emotional wellbeing.
– Find small steps to build resilience day to day.
You can access guides any time — privately and at your own pace.
Sometimes you may just need to ask a question, get advice, or find information without booking a session.
Breahting Space’s Online chat and information service offers:
– A confidential space to speak with someone.
– Emotional support, information, or signposting to other services.
– Quick access to guidance if you’re not sure what kind of help you need.
This can be a good first step if you’re exploring your options or finding it hard to reach out in person.
Living with or caring for someone with MND can be emotionally demanding. Our counselling service offers a safe and confidential space to talk through what’s happening, how you’re feeling, and how you can cope.
You might find counselling helpful if you:
– Feel overwhelmed, anxious, or low.
– Are struggling to balance caring responsibilities and your own wellbeing.
– Want to talk openly without worrying about burdening family or friends.
You can access counselling at any stage — it doesn’t have to be a crisis. Our counsellors understand the challenges that MND brings and can help you find ways to cope, build resilience, and maintain hope.
If you’re unsure whether it’s the right time, we can talk it through with you and help you decide what would be most supportive.
Need urgent help?
If you need to speak to someone right now about difficult emotions you’re experiencing, you can reach out to:
Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or visit breathingspace.scot
Message SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support
How to access our Counselling Service
To access our Counselling Service, please complete the referral form below. We’ll then review your application and respond to it within ten working days.
Alternatively, you could speak to your MND clinical nurse specialist and ask them to apply on your behalf.
