Business Details
42 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Women's Mental Health Support in London
Maya Centre has been a dedicated provider of free mental health support for women since 1984. Our organisation was founded to address the specific needs of women on low incomes in Islington and North London, offering culturally sensitive counselling and therapeutic services. With a team of 40 female professionals, including counsellors, therapists, and facilitators, we provide a safe and inclusive space for women from diverse backgrounds, including migrant, refugee, and Global Majority communities. Our services are delivered in 13 languages and encompass one-to-one counselling, group therapy, art therapy, and psychoeducation workshops. We specialise in supporting women affected by domestic abuse, trauma, and systemic discrimination, with tailored programmes for Irish women and Black women.Our approach integrates intercultural and intersectional perspectives to address the complex factors impacting women's mental health. Accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), we uphold rigorous professional standards. Over 500 women access our services annually, with 80% reporting significant improvements in mental health and self-esteem. Our commitment to trauma-informed care ensures that every woman receives compassionate, individualised support. We operate from a purpose-built centre in Islington, offering flexible session formats, including face-to-face, online, and telephone therapy. Our mission remains focused on empowering women to reclaim their wellbeing through accessible, high-quality mental health services.
Services
Counselling
Psychoeducation Workshops
Group Therapy
Irish Women's Service
Black Women's Project
Art Therapy
Holistic Mind-body Therapies
Reflexology
Reiki
Holistic Massage
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in women's mental health
- Our team consists of certified experts with extensive experience
- We offer culturally sensitive counselling in 13 languages
- We provide free services for women on low incomes
- We are accredited by the BACP
Associations and certifications
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
What people say
Safe and welcoming space
Qualified and experienced female counsellors
Cultural sensitivity
Improved confidence
Healing journey
Services
Counselling
Our qualified female counsellors provide one-to-one therapy for women facing mental health challenges. Sessions address trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties through psychodynamic and intercultural approaches. Therapists hold BACP, UKCP, or BPC registrations, ensuring professional standards. Services operate in 13 languages, including Somali, Urdu, and Kurdish, with 10-22 sessions available per client. Face-to-face, online, and telephone options accommodate diverse needs while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Group Therapy
Structured group sessions foster peer support and shared healing experiences. Short-term programmes (10-16 sessions) explore themes like domestic abuse recovery and cultural identity. Qualified therapists facilitate safe spaces for women to build social connections and emotional resilience. Specialised groups include drama therapy for Black women and art therapy for refugees, with evening sessions available to accommodate working mothers.
Art Therapy
Non-verbal therapeutic expression through visual arts supports emotional healing. Qualified art psychotherapists guide individual and group sessions for refugee and asylum-seeking women. The 12-week MamaSuse partnership programme uses creative processes to address trauma and build self-awareness. No artistic skill required, focusing instead on emotional exploration through colour, shape, and movement.
Irish Women's Service
Specialist counselling for Irish women and descendants addresses transgenerational trauma and cultural identity issues. BACP-accredited therapists provide culturally specific support for women from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Services tackle institutional abuse legacy, migration impacts, and intersectional discrimination. Priority access available for women in Islington and surrounding boroughs.
Black Women's Project
Tailored mental health support for Black British, African, and Caribbean women addresses racism, misogynoir, and cultural trauma. Qualified Black female therapists deliver 1-to-1 counselling and 6-week psychoeducation workshops. Group therapy (10-15 weeks) creates solidarity spaces for shared healing. Programmes specifically address the mental health impacts of systemic discrimination and gender-based violence.
Questions
What mental health services does The Maya Centre offer?
We provide free counselling, group therapy, art therapy, and psychoeducation workshops tailored for women's mental health needs.
Are services available in multiple languages?
Yes, our counselling services operate in 13 languages including Somali, Urdu, Kurdish, and Bengali.
How can I access the Irish Women's Service?
Complete our referral form indicating Irish heritage or contact us directly for eligibility assessment.
Do you offer therapy for Black women?
Yes, our Black Women's Project provides culturally specific counselling and group therapy sessions.
Are services free of charge?
All our mental health services are completely free for eligible women on low incomes.
What crisis support options exist?
We're not a crisis service; refer to NHS emergency departments or Samaritans (116 123) for urgent mental health support.
Reviews (3)
Cristin
Aug 05, 2018
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My data protection was breached when my name and appointment details were sent to another client, and I was sent theirs. The assessment was deeply intrusive, and I felt violated and I was left high and dry with deep memories evoked by an insensitive therapist Diana, who conducted the assessment without any duty of care whatsoever. I have never experienced such contempt or received an apoligy for any of the violations.
Fadumo Omar Mohamed
Feb 02, 2015
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Maya Centre is one of the 1st and few organisations who understood and promoted the needs of ethnic minority's women psychological needs and offer therapy in the client's native languages. They reached the hearts and souls of many women who would otherwise never been reached or get help. Help Maya Centre to help more women:)
Becky Swift
Jan 30, 2014
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The Maya Centre offers a much-needed service, and is a haven for many women who could despair without it. It is rare to find somewhere that can offer a good chunk of therapy, in several languages. In fact, it is unique! What's more, it is going from strength to strength under the auspices of new Director Jo Ansell. Spread the word and support it wherever you can.
