About us
Open Door is a leading provider of person centred counselling and has been offering a calm, confidential space for people to talk for over 50 years. 

We provide an affordable and confidential counselling service for young people and adults (provided online and face to face from our premises in Birmingham), and on-site counselling services for schools. Open Door is a British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited counselling service.

Our history
The agency was established in 1967 by a group of visionary counsellors and psychiatrists to serve the needs of vulnerable young people across Birmingham. We made a name for ourselves as a leading provider of person centred counselling and quickly became the main provider of young people’s counselling services in the city. Over ten years ago we began working in schools, providing on-site counselling services, and more recently we extended our offering by adding an adult counselling service, meeting the need for affordable talking therapies in Birmingham. 

Our approach
At Open Door we use the person centred model of counselling. This means working holistically, dealing with both thoughts and feelings.

This approach is non-judgemental and non-directive. We don’t give you advice, instead we listen and provide a supportive environment where you can find your own answers. 

This can be very empowering, helping people to understand themselves better, live more fulfilling lives, improve their relationships with others, and build strength and resilience within themselves.

Our credentials

Open Door is accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) meaning we provide training and supervision to a very high standard.

We work to the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions and adhere to its complaints procedure.

Our counsellors are all recruited, selected and trained by Open Door, and counsellors working with young people are all trained to at least Diploma level. They undertake monthly clinical supervision, and are managed by our chief executive, who is a Senior BACP accredited counsellor and a qualified counselling supervisor.

Open Door works within the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership guidelines and recommendations. We also subscribe to our own Code of Ethics and Practice.