Who refers to Mettle
Referral Partnerships for Social Care, Health, and Legal Professionals
Mettle sits in the gap between statutory services and the men who won’t access them. The men most likely to benefit from a referral are those who are functional enough to be missed by crisis thresholds, but struggling enough that the GP, keyworker, or support coordinator can see something isn’t right.
GPs and primary care teams
Men presenting with low mood, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or somatic symptoms who would benefit from talking therapy. Men where medication has been prescribed but the underlying emotional picture hasn't been addressed. Social prescribing coordinators looking for a non-generic, men-specific option.
Social prescribers and link workers
Men referred through primary care social prescribing schemes who need more than group activities or signposting. Men who have been offered IAPT or NHS Talking Therapies but declined - and may accept a private, male-focused alternative.
Housing associations and support workers
Men in supported or social housing where stress, relationship breakdown, or debt is compounding a housing situation. Men in arrears or tenancy risk linked to mental health. Support workers who need a referral pathway for male clients who won't engage with generic services.
Third-sector mental health charities
Organisations running peer support, community programmes, or drop-in provision where a client needs more structured, one-to-one therapeutic work. Andy's Man Club facilitators, CALM helpline referrals, and community outreach workers are among those who have signposted men to Mettle.
Domestic abuse and family support services
Men experiencing relationship breakdown, post-separation trauma, or who have been involved in domestic abuse proceedings as victims or as part of a perpetrator programme. Referrals from family courts, Cafcass practitioners, or support workers where therapeutic engagement is needed.
Employers and occupational health teams
For embedded or ad hoc EAP referrals - see the dedicated workplace page. For individual referrals from an occupational health team or HR function where a retained arrangement is not in place, contact directly to discuss options.
The clinical offer
Male-Focused Support Services for Referred Clients
One-to-one integrative counselling for men, delivered by a single NCPS Accredited Registrant. Person-centred at the core, drawing on CBT, ACT, and Restorative Practice as the work requires. Sessions in person in Southport town centre, online via secure video, or a mix of both.
Chris is an ASIST-trained Suicide First Aider - trained by LivingWorks to hold suicide risk conversations using the PAL (Pathway for Assisting Life) framework and Safe Plan approach. Men at risk are not outside the scope of the practice.
No waiting list. A reply to any referral enquiry within one working day. Men are offered a free 15-minute introductory call before any session is booked.
Practitioner
Chris Brotherton, MNCPS (Acc.) - NCPS Accredited Registrant. Supervised, insured, ICO registered.
Modalities
Integrative: person-centred, CBT, ACT, Restorative Practice. Single-Session Therapy for focused brief work.
Risk capacity
ASIST-trained Suicide First Aider. Men experiencing suicidal ideation are within scope. Not a crisis service - emergency cover remains with 999 and NHS crisis teams.
Formats
In person (Southport town centre), secure video, phone, or mixed. Evening and weekend availability.
Fees
From £35 (30-min check-in) to £55 (50-min session). Bespoke blocks from £130. Workplace EAP on application. Community clinic (free) available Monday via Project Sandgrounder.
Referral process
Email info@mettletherapy.co.uk with a brief note. No referral form required. Response within one working day.
Rooted in Southport and Merseyside
A Community-Based Therapy Practice for Men
Mettle isn’t a directory listing. It’s a practice with community roots.
Project Sandgrounder
Free community counselling clinic for men in Southport, run from The Salvation Army on Mondays. Strictly by appointment - not a referral pathway for organisations, but a provision worth knowing about.
Project Sandgrounder→Liverpool FC Foundation
Chris is a mentor with the Liverpool FC Foundation, providing one-to-one support within community sport and health programmes in Merseyside.
Community work→ASIST First Aid in the community
As an ASIST-trained Suicide First Aider, Chris is available to third-sector and community organisations for consultation on suicide-safe referral pathways.
Suicide first aid→Referral process
How to Refer Clients for Specialist Male Support
There is no referral form. No system to log into. Email info@mettletherapy.co.uk with a brief note about the client - what they are struggling with, any risk considerations, and how they would prefer to be contacted. A reply will follow within one working day.
Where possible, it helps if the client knows a referral is being made and has given consent for their details to be shared. If that isn’t possible, a general enquiry about suitability can be made without naming the individual.
After the initial contact, Chris reaches out to the client directly to offer a free 15-minute introductory call. The referring professional is not part of the clinical relationship unless there is a specific reason to be - confidentiality applies from the first contact.
What to include in a referral email
- - Client's first name and preferred contact method (phone, email, or text)
- - A short description of what they are presenting with
- - Any known risk - suicidal ideation, self-harm, substance use - so Chris can prepare appropriately
- - Whether the client is aware of and has consented to the referral
- - Any constraints on timing, cost, or format (e.g. online only, weekday evenings)
- - Your name, organisation, and role for Chris's records
My Therapeutic Scope and Clinical Boundaries
Mettle is a private outpatient counselling practice - not a crisis service, not a statutory mental health provider, and not a residential or intensive support programme. Men in active psychiatric crisis, requiring formal Community Mental Health Team involvement, or needing 24-hour care are outside the scope of the practice.
Emergency cover remains with 999. Out-of-hours crisis support is available through Samaritans (116 123), CALM (0800 58 58 58), and NHS 111 Option 2 (mental health). The local support page lists Sefton and Merseyside crisis resources in full.
Mettle does not have a duty worker, a triage system, or a safeguarding team. Safeguarding concerns involving children or vulnerable adults are handled in line with NCPS ethical guidelines and referred to the appropriate statutory authority.
If you are unsure whether a client is suitable, email or call before making a full referral. A brief conversation about the client’s presentation - without identifying them - is always welcome.
Get in touch
Make a referral or start a conversation.
Email info@mettletherapy.co.uk or call 01704 660167. A reply within one working day.