Cost of counselling

[JessicaBeatriceFletcher]

is frightening. I once had some talking therapy on the NHS and found it really rather useless. I think you really need to engage with a counsellor/therapist to really benefit and feel comfortable. I've been looking into finding a counsellor as a last ditch attempt to find some acceptance of how my life is going to be otherwise we know where I am headed.

While obviously I realise these people are professionals, the cost in many cases is totally prohibitive for me. We're talking anywhere between £40-£75 for between 40 and 60 minutes. I could just about scrape £40 now and again but now and again isn't probably going to help. Some counsellors do some reduced fees for a very limited number of clients but I wouldn't fall into that bracket even if they had spare capacity (it's those on minimum wage or benefits). I don't earn a great deal but I'm not minimum wage.

I know there are some charities that offer reduced price counselling and my first port of call was MIND. They don't have a local MIND in our whole county. And I don't seem to be able to find any other options in a reasonable distance from where I live (Gloucestershire).

Are you anywhere near the Cotswolds, because Cotswold Counselling is one of those charities, covering Cirencester, Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping Campden. No questions about income - they just ask what you think you can afford per week from£5 up to £35. Www.cotswold-counselling.org.uk

It's a great shame IMO. Not to mention that mental health is often a huge barrier to earning potential :( It's horrendous that so many people are priced out of seeking help.

Bless - I hadn't found that one but unfortunately I am reliant on public transport so am pretty much stuck with Cheltenham and Gloucester. Buses to Cirencester and the villages are almost non-existent and hopeless after mid-afternoon. I'll keep looking.

The best thing would be to go back to the nhs. It wasn't helpful last time that doesn't mean it won't be this time. The counsellors are just as experienced and qualified as private ones. Explain the reasons why you didn't find it helpful to them. They will listen and try and find you someone else.

Thants - the waiting list, just like Unfortunately said earlier is months and months and I really feel I need to do something before that. Ah well.

There are some private counselling services that are means tested. So if you are on a low income you can get it cheaper.
If you feel like you really need help now there is always the crisis team.

Thants - already looked into those, and as I mentioned in my OP, although I don't earn a lot I am not quite low income enough for reduced fees.

I don't think a crisis team is what I am looking for. I am looking for someone I can talk with on a regular basis.

Is there a Relate in yr area? Iv had really good support from them and it was a free service. Google relate.

Silver - I've always assumed Relate only did marriage counselling. I will look into them immediately.