Published 2026-07-31 • Category: Personal Therapy • Author: CounsellingPlacements.co.uk
Personal therapy is one of the bigger hidden costs of counselling training. Private sessions in the UK typically run £40 to £80, and more in London — so a year of weekly therapy can add up to £2,000 or more.
Ways to bring the cost down: many therapists offer reduced student rates for counselling trainees, sometimes £10 to £20 less per session. Some keep low-cost slots specifically for students. Online sessions are often cheaper and save travel time, and charity or low-cost counselling services sometimes take trainees as clients.
Budget early: work out your likely total across the course and treat it like course fees. Ask about cancellation policies too — missed sessions usually still cost you.
Cheapest is not always best. You will spend a year or more with this person, so fit matters more than saving £5 a session. Use the CounsellingPlacements.co.uk therapist directory to compare fees and student rates upfront instead of emailing blind.