We are a highly specialised psychology service that provides individual therapy and group interventions that contribute to the reduction of risk of violent or sexual offending.

We accept referrals from GPs, Police, Probation, Children’s Services and mental health services to contribute to risk management in the community. Service users should be referred by a professional involved in their care who can act as coordinator and point of contact. All referrals from outside Mersey Care need to be funded by the referring or other agency. 

We offer a range of evidence-based therapies including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Schema Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), MBT (Mentalisation Based Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy). Interventions are based on a psychological formulation of the individual client and often involve the re-processing of childhood trauma linked to the problem behaviours. We also provide intervention for parents/carers aimed at improving the ability to protect children from sexual harm.

MFPS provide this service into the North West prisons that are covered by North West Psychology Services. Assessments can be carried out across this estate and the therapy service is provided at HMP Wymott. It offers long term 1-1 psychological therapy aimed at reducing the impact of past traumatic experiences on current functioning, including the factors related to offending behaviour. The therapy models utilised include Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Schema Therapy and other methods of reprocessing trauma as appropriate.

Individuals are referred by the Offender Supervisor, Offender Manager, Psychologist or other professional.

The MFPS Prevention Service aims to help individuals with concerning sexual thoughts from going on to commit a sexual offence.

This is not a self-referral service, and you must refer yourself through your GP, or if you are a current Mersey Care service user, you can ask your care team to contact us. If appropriate we will invite you to the service for an assessment.

To be suitable for the Prevention Service:

  • You must be over 16
  • You must not have a conviction for a sexual offence (though the service accepts individuals with an indecent exposure offence, to prevent an escalation in behaviour).

Please be aware that if you inform us about any criminal activity committed by yourself or others this information will be reported to the relevant authorities, such as safeguarding services or the Police.

Stop it Now

The ‘Stop it Now’ service offers anonymous help via their website and helpline: 0808 1000 900.