Cheap Relationship Counseling?

TheShrew

Hi.
I'm not going to go into details right now if thats ok.
But I think my partner and I could do with some relationship counseling, or at the minimum he could do with some on his own.
I've looked into it and am a bit shocked by the prices involved, especially as he doesn't earn much and I'd have to pay for it all.
I know that cheap might mean poor quality in this case, so if there are no cheap alternatives then I will have to find the money somewhere. But any advice would be appreciated.
I've looked at the 'Relate' website and lacking any other suggestions guess I may have to go for that.
Also, is it possible to get referred by a doctor for this sort of counseling and would that be free? We're not actually married but have lived together for about 5years.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Sx

jacktyler

i've used relate in the past and i found them to be really good, very helpful and professional. your marrital status isn't a factor. i'd definitely recommend them.

i hope things work out for you. good luck.

bestpud

Relate will negotiate fees but you can only do it with the counsellor, I think. I've never found their website, or indeed the people you speak to on the phone (in my area at least), very helpful but the counsellors are (in my experience) so try not to be put off prior to actually seeing someone.

In fact, many, if not most, counsellors will negotiate fees so it is definitely worth contacting a few in your area and asking.

Good luck with it.

Rummer

Hello

It depends where you live, there is a free (donation based) service in Scotland.

Mrs_A_4

I went to Relate VERY skint and at the end of my tether. I negotiated with the counsellor to pay £5 a session, after explaining that the skintness was part of the problem.

I plan to send them an anonymous donation as thanks if I ever come into money! However, please try and pay as much as you can afford. I know of some people who think they can't afford it - and that's cos they've had two foreign holidays this year and haven't got much spare...

Pssst

Youve found it already. Theres nothing better or cheaper than getting real world advice from real world people on here rather than yoghurt knitting,Gurdian reading counsellor types.

gundo

My experience with Relate was less than brilliant and it cost 1p a second! (more than that if I include the fact that if we or the counsellor was late then that time was deducted from the session). The latest session available was 4.30pm meant taking regular (weekly) time off work and the fact that the counsellor was utterly useless, made it all an upsetting and complete waste of time..

TheShrew

Thank-you for all the responses. Its interesting to see what everyone things.
I must admit to being a bit sceptical about counseling myself but am at a loss what else to do. It makes me feel uncomfortable thinking that we cant talk through our problems on our own, and that means we'd have to pay someone to listen!
I guess one session cant hurt, us or the bank too much, and then I can make a better judgement on what we need.
Thanks again everyone.
Sx

bestpud

The 'success' of counselling depends on many factors, and it is very difficult to predict before you try, so yes I agree it is worth a shot.

My experience was good and they definitely do evening and weekend appts here.

There are good and bad counsellors (as with any profession) but tbh many of the bad experiences will be down to personal differences (it's a very human experience and more difficult if you don't gel with the counsellor) and willingness/ability to engage fully with it and be totally open. For some people, it just won't work no matter how good the counsellor is, but I suggest keeping an open mind and be wary of writing off counselling per se if it doesn't work out on this one occassion.

Good luck with it.

sissy_2

My experience is relate is the way to go. I have gone to them myself with my partner and we were able to negotiate a reduced fee. Good Luck hun

oystercatcher

My GP was able to refer me for a few sessions of counselling when I was suffering from depression. There is a limit on the number they allow and this may vary in different areas.
When I'd had my 'NHS' sessions the counsellor suggested that I could get more low cost counselling at a centre near us from student counsellors . I didn't take this up as I knew people who worked in this centre and was worried about confidentiality but it might be worth asking if any training centres near you do similar training. It's still someone to listen and make suggestions and presumably they have tutors they can ask if you have partiocularly complicated problems.

Good luck
Oystercatcher