Who We Are
Farsophone Counselling Service (FCS) is a mental health support service provided by the Farsophone Association. We specialise in delivering counselling and psychotherapy in the mother tongue (Persian) for individuals, families, and couples.
FCS works in partnership with NHS Barnet, primarily serving clients from Barnet and surrounding areas. However, we also welcome Persian-speaking individuals from across the UK, provided they can attend sessions in person at our centre.
We currently offer 12 individual counselling sessions and 10 family or couple therapy sessions, free of charge to adults aged 18 and above. Referrals can be made directly by individuals or by professionals such as GPs, social workers, and psychiatrists.
In addition to therapy, we host a variety of community activities each month, including book reading clubs, art classes, mindfulness webinars, yoga classes, support groups and more.
UPDATE:
Since 1 April 2025, we have been unable to accept new referrals due to a high volume of referrals and a significant backlog on our waiting list.
This pause will remain in place until 31 March 2026, at which point we will review the situation. Depending on our capacity, we may extend this period further or reopen for new referrals at a later date.
In the meantime, clients may benefit from the workshops, clubs, webinars, and groups we offer each month.
Our History
FCS was founded in 2006 following a successful pilot by NHS Barnet in 2003. It was created to support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of Persian-speaking communities, including Iranian, Afghan, and Tajik individuals, through culturally appropriate counselling in their first language.
In 2007, we expanded our services to include family and couple therapy. Today, FCS continues to operate from the Information and Advice Centre at Edgware Community Hospital, maintaining a strong partnership with NHS Barnet.
We have also built new partnerships to support non-English speaking communities in accessing mental health services that are suited to their cultural and linguistic needs.
Our Values
We believe that refugees, asylum seekers, and non-English speaking immigrants deserve access to mental health services that are both culturally appropriate and respectful of their language needs. We strongly support Article 25(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms every individual’s right to a standard of living that supports their health and wellbeing.
Our Mission and Goals
Our mission is to empower non-English speaking individuals to understand their mental health needs and seek support with trust and confidence. We aim to provide a service that is confidential, respectful, and grounded in cultural understanding.
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in all areas of our work and encouraging other Black, Ethnic Minority, and Refugee organisations to do the same.
FCS works alongside community groups and health professionals to ensure effective support for those we serve. We also organise seminars and workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing for non-English speaking communities.
As part of our commitment to growth and sustainability, we provide placements and training opportunities for psychology and psychotherapy students. Many of these students remain connected with FCS and continue to contribute as qualified clinicians once they complete their training.
Ready to take the next step ?
Explore our Referrals process, see What’s On, or Contact Us to learn how we can support you.