Can you get counselling cheaper ?

[Wrongkindofovercoat]

Don't need or want CBT , I am good at compartmentalising things generally, just need to talk to someone and work through some stuff. Everyone locally is charging at least £50 a session, which is fine, I understand they need to make a living. I just wondered if you could get counselling for less if they were trainee's or something ?
Or would it be OK to have only a couple of sessions a month ?

It depends on the issue. I'm a counsellor and I work for a charity. It's a specialist charity and we support people as much as we can either by one to ones or in a support groups.

Have you tried googling “low cost counselling in [your area]”?

Your local Mind may offer counselling at low cost, they usually do. Or your workplace might have counselling through an EAP. Some counsellors offer reduced rates for those who need it, check their websites/directory entries to see if they mention it.

Either way, you’d have to go to an agency of some kind - trainees don’t have private practices of their own.

@DogsandBoysmeanMud its just your common or garden relationship issues , think parents/children/partner , essentially they are all a bit rubbish at the moment understatement and I just need help to focus on the stuff I can change for the better.

Have you checked in case your workplace has an Employee Assistance Programme?

@MajesticWol I can access counselling through work (NHS) but don't really want to bother them with my mundane stuff when so many staff are in need, plus I imagine the waiting time is very long at the moment, I just can't afford to fork out £200 a month.

@MajesticWol have googled and found a couple of lower cost options in my area including Mind, thank you

There are some therapy apps you could try op...

Better help
Talkspace

[quote Wrongkindofovercoat]@DogsandBoysmeanMud its just your common or garden relationship issues , think parents/children/partner , essentially they are all a bit rubbish at the moment understatement and I just need help to focus on the stuff I can change for the better.[/quote]
Sounds like you could get help and support from a support group of other 'mums at the end of their tether' or maybe a life coach / parent coach.

Have you tried reading some parenting / relationship / self help books ?

If you don't want to leave the relationship etc then you need some skills to help you communicate with and motivate your family.

I joined anxiety uk to get means tested counselling which was cheaper because of my wage. I've been very impressed with their communication and counsellor provided. It's via zoom.

Anxiety UK - you pay a one off fee for annual membership and get access to reduced rate counselling with a v short wait time (2 weeks).

Some branches of Relate offer free counseling to anyone earning less than £25k (postcode lottery obvs). This includes individual counselling.

Ask if your GP surgery has a Social Prescribing team. They will have knowledge and referral pathway into any local low cost or free counselling in your area.

Crossposts re: Anxiety UK Veryvery 😊

[quote Wrongkindofovercoat]@MajesticWol I can access counselling through work (NHS) but don't really want to bother them with my mundane stuff when so many staff are in need, plus I imagine the waiting time is very long at the moment, I just can't afford to fork out £200 a month.[/quote]
It may feel “mundane”, but if it’s causing you anguish, you are deserving of support, maybe look into this and get a timescale in the first instance
Otherwise, there may be organisations locally who offer low cost counselling, or sessions with trainees. There’s one in a town local to us that offers counselling for £20/session

A lot of counsellors work on a sliding scale depending on income. Mine has £50 to £80 listed as his fees but sees me for £40 as my income is low and my issues fairly extensive. You just have to ask them if they have any low cost slots free.

They'll only take a certain number at a time based on how many full fee clients they are seeing so it's always worth asking around.

@DogsandBoysmeanMud the issues are 'mundane' to me , but there are addictions/life limiting illness issues amongst others, including all the 'Mum at the end of her tether' stuff, I simply don't currently have enough spoons ! Or I do but they are the ones you choose to use last and are a bit tarnished and battered.
But reading is something I enjoy doing, so any recommendations for helpful books is always appreciated, have a load of book tokens.
I can't 'leave' any of the relationships.

@HoliHormonalTigerlilly

There are some therapy apps you could try op...

Better help
Talkspace

Mindler - is also a feminist app and has a first session free code: guilty

I see a counsellor who charges £35 for 50 mins - she is an older lady with huge amounts of experience and she has been amazing. She was recommended by a friend so I don't know how you could find similar but there are definitely people out there.