Overview
Walk-In Counseling Center was founded by a group of psychologists in 1969, in response to the unmet need for accessible mental health services in the Twin Cities. We incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 1971.
For the past 55 years we have provided free mental health counseling to help thousands of people address issues of depression, anxiety, chemical abuse/dependency, trauma, domestic violence and a variety of other emotional and interpersonal concerns.
Our mission: Walk-In serves unmet needs for accessible mental health counseling services in our community. We help people stabilize during a time of crisis and resolve problems before they become severe. We provide free, anonymous, easily accessible services, by professional volunteers who share the values of dignity, compassion, equity and inclusion.
More than 100 volunteer mental health clinicians each year provide the services. We estimate the value of our volunteer clinic services at more than $33 million over the past 55 years.
We are, to our knowledge, the only walk-in mental health service in the world (!) staffed entirely by volunteer clinicians.
In 2024 we…
Served approximately 1,700 individuals: men, women, and young people (unduplicated)
Provided nearly 4,000 free formal counseling sessions
Engaged more than 100 volunteer counselors, team consultants and receptionists who gave counseling, case consultation, outreach and administrative services valued at $964,000
Continued to respond to the pandemic by offering all of our services remotely, by call-in/log-in using the Zoom platform
Continued in-person clinics three afternoons a week.
To read the 2024 overview, click here.
Our History & Future
What we've done
Did you know Walk-In Counseling Center has been around for 55 years?
We celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019. Watch a video/read a brief history of Walk-In.
Read a narrative history of our first 40 years and our impact on the Twin Cities’ mental health community.
Where we're headed
We plan to be around for many more years. Learn about our Future Plan.
Free Counseling Services
Counseling services are completely free and anonymous, with no appointment needed. SOME CLINICS ARE NOW IN PERSON! All of our professional counselors volunteer their time.
