We hope that counselling support won’t cost more than you can afford. If you’re struggling with relationship issues, life transitions, low mood or anxiety, affordable professional help is available.
Understanding the Cost of Counselling in the UK
Private counselling can range from £40-£100 per session, which might be more than is ok for you. However, there are options for accessing affordable support across the UK.
Your Options for Affordable Counselling
NHS Mental Health Services Your GP can refer you to NHS counselling services, though waiting times might be long and the number of sessions be limited.
Online Counselling Services Online therapy has become very usual, especially since the pandemic. Practices such as ours offer professional counselling sessions at reduced rates. The convenience of receiving support from your own home, combined with lower overhead costs for providers, can make this an excellent option.
Placement Agencies like our sister company, Low Cost Counselling offer lower cost sessions with supervised trainee counsellors. While these practitioners are training, they have been released from college to offer counselling sessions through the agency, they are supervised by qualified professionals.
Charitable Organisations Many charities and local community groups offer low-cost or sliding-scale counselling services, so it is worth enquiring in your local area. Excellent charitable organisations like Mind and Samaritans have helplines and other supportive resources at no cost.
Contact details for support in crisis:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 0800 917 7650 https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Family Lives 0808 800 2222 https://www.familylives.org.uk/
Refuge (for women and children experiencing domestic violence) 0808 2000 247 https://refuge.org.uk/
Crisis Support & Mental Health Resources
If you need immediate mental health support, please reach out to any of the following services:
NHS – 111
24/7 Support Services:
- Samaritans – 116 123 (free, confidential emotional support)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/ - Shout UK – Text 85258 (free, confidential 24/7 text support)
Website: https://giveusashout.org - National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – 0800 689 5652 (24/7 supportive listening service)
Website: https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk/
Regional & Specialist Support:
- Bristol Mindline – 0808 808 0330 (confidential helpline for Bristol area)
Website: www.bristolmind.org.uk/mindline - Womankind – 0345 458 2914 or 0117 916 6461 (charity run by women for women)
Website: www.womankindbristol.org.uk - SANEline – 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm–10:30pm daily)
Website: https://www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support/saneline-services - CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight daily)
Website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Support for Young People:
- PAPYRUS (suicide prevention for under 35s) – www.papyrus-uk.org
- OTR Bristol & South Glos (ages 11-25) – www.otrbristol.org.uk
- Kooth (online emotional wellbeing for children and young people) – https://www.kooth.com/
- The Mix (support for under 25s) – https://www.themix.org.uk/
- Childline 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/
- Off The Record 0808 8089120
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 0800 917 7650 https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
- Family Lives 0808 800 2222 https://www.familylives.org.uk/
- Refuge (for women and children experiencing domestic violence) 0808 2000 247 https://refuge.org.uk/
NHS Services:
- Find your local NHS urgent mental health helpline – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
What to Look for in Affordable Counselling
Ensure your counsellor is:
- Qualified and registered with professional bodies such as the NCPS or BACP
- Open to work with you about your concerns
- Offering a safe, confidential environment
- Providing clear information about costs and session structure
Taking the First Step
Seeking help takes strength and courage. Affordable counselling will provide the same life-changing benefits as expensive alternatives.
If you’re ready to begin your journey toward understanding yourself and hopefully feeling better, consider exploring online options that combine professional caring support with accessible pricing. Your wellbeing is worth the time.
About Affordable Counselling’s online service
Affordable Counselling and Low Cost Counselling are managed by Tina Free, who has over 30 years’ experience of offering counselling services to clients and supervision support to working counsellors. Tina is also an experienced teacher.
The Affordable Counselling service is provided by qualified counsellors who are attending well established counselling courses. Our counsellors receive on-going professional supervision which ensures the quality of the counselling is to a high professional standard.
Low-Cost Counselling’s service is offered by counsellors continuing with their training. All counsellors working in the service have been approved to practice by both a trainer and a BACP and NCPS accredited counselling supervisors.
All of our counsellors and the agency supervisors are members of NCPS or BACP and follow the NCPS and BACP guidelines, working to their ethical frameworks.
We have public liability and professional indemnity insurance. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the services, please contact us on:
Email: admin@lowcostcounselling.co.uk or admin@affordablecounselling.uk
This article is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace professional medical advice. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your GP, call 111, or go to your nearest A&E department. For immediate support, you can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123.