Finding Mental Health Support in Powys – From a Local Therapist Who Understands

10 Nov

Hello, I’m Lorraine Sheppard, a solution-focused hypnotherapist and psychotherapist in Llangorse, near Brecon. Living and working in such a wide and rural part of Wales, I know how difficult it can feel to get mental health support when everything is so spread out.

Long drives, patchy services, unpredictable travel - it can all make reaching out feel harder than it should be.

But support is available. Whether you prefer in-person sessions in Powys or online therapy from the comfort of home, there are options to help you feel better, wherever you live.
From Brecon to Welshpool, you can access solution focused hypnotherapy, counselling, private therapy, and NHS mental health services.

Why Mental Health Support Can Feel Hard to Access in Powys

Powys is stunning, but rural life brings challenges that don’t always get talked about:

Isolation, not just physical distance but social separation
Travel time, with appointments often several miles (or hours) away
Work pressures, whether that’s farming, running a small business, or commuting long distances
Long winters, which can impact mood and motivation
Stigma, which still exists in some close-knit communities

Despite these challenges, Powys is also full of resilience, community spirit, and the grounding influence of nature. And now, more than ever, therapy is more flexible and easier to access.

Mental Health & Therapy Options Across Powys

NHS Mental Health Services

If you want to start through the NHS, speak to your GP. Powys Teaching Health Board provides:

Community Mental Health Teams in Brecon, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Ystradgynlais
24/7 urgent support via NHS 111
GP-referred counselling (waiting lists vary)
Specialist services for more complex needs

Private Therapy in Powys

There are qualified counsellors and psychotherapists across the county, including Brecon, Newtown and Llandrindod Wells. Some work from therapy rooms, community centres, or offer home visits.

Typical fees: £50–£80 per session
Some therapists offer sliding scale pricing or reduced rates.
Online therapy can help reduce the cost and time of travel.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy – My Specialism

I specialise in solution focused hypnotherapy, a gentle, evidence-based approach that focuses on the future rather than revisiting past trauma.

You can work with me:

In person in the Brecon Beacons / Llangorse area
Online, wherever you live in Powys — Welshpool, Rhayader, Builth Wells, Hay-on-Wye and beyond

Solution focused hypnotherapy can help with:

Anxiety and stress
Poor sleep
Low confidence
Phobias
Habit change
Building long-term resilience through practical tools like self-hypnosis

Online Therapy in Powys – Flexible, Accessible and Effective

For many people living in Powys’ rural and remote areas, online therapy is the most practical option. Benefits include:

No travel time or transport worries
Private, confidential sessions from home
Works around farm life, shift work or family commitments
Effective for most common mental health concerns

Crisis Support in Powys

If you need urgent help, please use the following services:

Samaritans — 116 123 (free, 24/7)
NHS 111 — urgent mental health support
SHOUT Text Line — Text SHOUT to 85258
999 — in an emergency or immediate danger

Mental Health & Therapy Options by Area in Powys

Brecon & South Powys

Strong range of services
NHS support, private counselling, solution focused hypnotherapy
Better travel links

Mid Powys (Builth Wells, Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells)

NHS support through your GP
Fewer private therapists locally
Online therapy highly recommended
Some mobile or community-based support available

North Powys (Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery)

Large towns with stronger NHS provision
Plenty of flexible online therapy options
Cross-border services into England if needed

Remote Areas (Elan Valley, Upper Wye Valley, Rural Montgomeryshire)

Online therapy is often the easiest route
Crisis support always accessible
Strong local community networks

How to Choose the Right Therapy in Powys

Here are a few things to consider when deciding what support is right for you:

Practical Needs

Travel time
Whether online therapy suits your lifestyle
Appointment times that fit around work, farming, or childcare

Personal Preferences

Face-to-face or online
A local therapist or a wider choice through online sessions
Short-term, solution-focused work or longer-term exploration

Your Goals

Anxiety, low mood, sleep issues or phobias
Breaking unhelpful habits
Managing stress more effectively
Crisis support vs longer-term wellbeing

Many people combine different types of support - for example, NHS services plus private therapy, or counselling alongside hypnotherapy.

Your Mental Health Matters - Wherever You Live in Powys

Reaching out for help is an act of strength. Whether you’re in Brecon, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Hay-on-Wye, or tucked away in one of Powys’ most remote valleys, support is available when you need it.

If you’d like to explore how solution focused hypnotherapy could help you feel calmer, clearer and more in control, I’d love to hear from you.

In Powys, you can access a variety of support: NHS mental health services, private counselling, and solution focused hypnotherapy. Whether you’re in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Hay-on-Wye, or anywhere in the county, there’s help available.
Yes! Online therapy is perfect for rural areas like Powys. It’s flexible, private, and just as effective as in-person sessions. You can access support from the comfort of your home, whether it’s for anxiety, stress, sleep issues, or phobias.
Brecon and the surrounding area have the most therapy options, including NHS services, private counselling, and in-person solution focused hypnotherapy. Transport is easier here, but online sessions are still available if needed.
Mid Powys (Builth Wells, Rhayader, Llandrindod Wells) and North Powys (Welshpool, Newtown, Montgomery) have NHS services and some private therapists. Online therapy is often the most practical and flexible option, especially for rural locations or limited local availability.
Absolutely. All professional therapy, counselling, and hypnotherapy sessions are fully confidential, whether in-person or online. Your privacy is always respected.
Consider practical factors (travel, timing, online access), personal preferences (face-to-face vs online), and goals (anxiety, depression, sleep, phobias, habit change). You can combine NHS support, private therapy, and solution focused hypnotherapy for the best results.
If you ever need urgent help:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7, free)
- NHS 111: urgent mental health support
- SHOUT Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
- 999: in immediate danger

📍 Based in Llangorse, near Brecon, Hay-On-Wye, and Crickhowell, Wales - also available online UK-wide.
👉 Book a free consultation

Hi, I’m Lorraine Sheppard…

I help overwhelmed people feel lighter and back in control - often in just a few sessions using gentle hypnotherapy and solution-focused techniques. Having overcome my own anxiety and depression, I bring both professional expertise and genuine understanding to guide you toward lasting change.