Couples Counselling

[onthebusagain]

DP & I are looking to start couples Counselling. There are so many counsellors out there that we have found online with various training qualifications and costs.
We've seen one who says on her profile she's been working with couples for over 10 years and looks like she is professionally trained to work with couples. She charges £85 per hour and only works online. Does this seem expensive? We've never looked for a couples counsellor before so wasn't sure of a reasonable rate.

I've seen others online who charge £50-£75 per session so this would be cheaper for us. Some of these have put they've had couples training and others don't have that on their website but I imagine they are trained to work with couples.
Have you had experience of couples therapy and what would you advise?

@Jas5mum No, it doesn't say anything about reduced costs or first session half price.

@MightbeMaybe
Thank you for the link. There is definitely no abuse though, on either side.

Has anyone has couples Counselling online and it's been ok or beneficial?
Surely if the therapist is good, they will be whether they're online or face to face?
Or does it make a big difference?

That’s good she’s fully qualified, there’s a lot of people out there advertising their services who just have basic introductory certificates and not fully qualified yet. That’s why best to go with someone fully qualified and on BACP or organisation like Relate.

A few friends have been to Relate for individual and couples counselling and found it really helpful. Also I know someone who works as a counsellor there. I know they offer discounts if people aren’t able to pay full price but think it’s less than £70 a session. They do online aswell.

Good luck!

@Welshgal85
Thank you. Yes she does have a list of qualifications on her website and I have checked and she is also on the BACP website too. I found her initially on the Counselling Directory.

That's really good to hear.

I would still give relate a swerve though if I were you. They are very hit and miss, mostly miss.

@MyLandlordIsCreepy
Yes I've heard mixed reviews about relate.

I am recently qualified and as such don't claim to be an expert. Hear hit and miss things about relate, including from another counsellor who has used them.

I think a lot of counsellors can be hit and miss anyway regardless of anything at all, including accreditation. The quality of the therapeutic alliance itself is paramount. However accreditation is a good sign, it means she has completed the requisite amount of hours to meet the criteria. Can't remember how many.

I am trying to decide whether i would have strong feelings either way about the online aspect. Personally for 1-1 counselling I feel there are upsides and downsides to all platforms, including the phone. I think I would veer towards in person for couples but online wouldn't be a deal breaker. I don't think £85 is extreme. Be cheaper than a divorce!

Try one session maybe? Good luck!

I’ve only heard good things about them but think it depends what you are hoping to get from it and each individual situation.
I know some people who have been to be helped through having an amicable break up, (which sounds weird but can exist!) but then others have gone and it’s helped them stay together. I guess at the end of the day they aren’t miracle workers and it depends on two people putting in the effort to work on things

@Worriedpanda50
Cheaper than a divorce is exactly what I said!
From her website it looks like she's been qualified for a long time and has been seeing couples for quite a few years. So that seems promising. It was really about the fee as I wasn't sure if £85 was a bit steep or quite standard for a couples session. And because it's online.

@Welshgal85
Yes we would want to stay together ideally. But definitely need some help with that.