EMERGE Leeds: Complex Emotional Needs Service

EMERGE Leeds provides support for 18-25-year-olds who experience complex emotional needs and interpersonal difficulties.

We work with people who have developed ways of coping and surviving that can cause them harm and distress. This is often the result of complex trauma and adverse life experiences.

We provide care coordination and a range of support and therapeutic interventions. You must be registered with a Leeds GP to access our services.

• How to get support
• Emerge Leeds: Young Adult Pathway
• Our approach

How to get support

• To access our service talk to your GP or health or support worker. A referral from someone working with you is required to access our Young Adults Pathway. Visit the information for healthcare professionals to learn more about our referral process.
• Alternatively, if you are interested in accessing our Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills, Skills for Life, or Journey Groups you can refer yourself. Learn more about our therapeutic groups.
• Support for families and carers is available through our Cygnus Carers Support Course and Andromeda Carers Peer Support Group.

EMERGE Leeds Young Adults Pathway

Our Young Adults Pathway involves working collaboratively with a care coordinator (keyworker). You’ll work together to build a therapeutic working relationship that feels safe and supportive. Together, you’ll:

• Identify the challenges and problems you’re facing.
• Create a care plan that outlines the support available to you.
• Build a safety plan for when you need support to keep yourself safe.

Your care coordinator may also introduce you to other team members if you agree it could help, including:

• Occupational therapists help you find activities that give you a chance to learn about yourself and others.
• Psychological therapists work with you to better understand your difficulties and develop strategies to help manage them using a range of approaches.
• Creative therapists use creative outlets to explore and make sense of your experiences.
• Peer support workers connect you with people who’ve been through similar experiences, either one-on-one or in groups.
• Youth workers increase your confidence by trying new activities and learning new skills.
• Housing and resettlement case workers to support with housing concerns and help prevent homelessness.

Our approach

At EMERGE Leeds we focus on creating safe, supportive, and judgment-free relationships, which allow you and the team to develop an understanding of how life experiences may have shaped your struggles, but also your strengths.

We work with young adults with or without a formal diagnosis of personality disorder and can support with stigma and concerns in relation to this diagnosis.