How much is counselling?

AnnieH

Does anyoone know how much it costs to go to Relate/ marriage care etc.

I have looked on their websites, but can't find anywhere that tells you how much it is.

I think my OH and I really need some help otherwise we are going to split up. We don't have a great deal of money, but we're just about to embark on buying our house, and really I can't see us staying together for the next 6 months never mind 30 years.

worrieddad_4

I rang them up last week and was told that costs were discussed with you at the initial meeting. They aim for £45 per hour (!!!!!) but they will discuss a figure which you feel you can afford. Not tried them yet but thats what they told me on the phone.

My advice is that if you think your going to split up, don't buy a house. Why add an extra noose around your own neck. Sort your relationship out first if possible. Houses will always be there.

Hope that helps

AnnieH

Thanks worried Dad, that is my thought on the subject too tbh. It's not like we need the xtra stress at the moment lol:)

Thanks for your reply

jo_b_2

AnnieH wrote:

Does anyoone know how much it costs to go to Relate/ marriage care etc.

I have looked on their websites, but can't find anywhere that tells you how much it is.

There isn't a set amount. They ask for a contribution per hour based on your salary. The amount that they suggested for us was more than we could have afforded at the time so I paid less and wasn't made to feel uncomfortable.

From memory, we had to complete a registration form prior to the sessions starting and put the amount that we would be paying on that. I think we paid £20 per hour.

AnnieH

Yes, I think Relate do charge a lot of money, but if we can just pay what we can afford, than it will be better.

Does anyone know about Marriage Care? I know they are a registered charity, and although I wouldn't expect it to be free, do they charge as much as Relate do you know?

kjl26

AnnieH wrote:

Yes, I think Relate do charge a lot of money, but if we can just pay what we can afford, than it will be better.

Does anyone know about Marriage Care? I know they are a registered charity, and although I wouldn't expect it to be free, do they charge as much as Relate do you know?

My mum used to work for them: all their counsellors are unpaid and I think they just welcome donations. That might have changed since though - she stopped working for them a few years ago. I used to sit on 'reception' for her sometimes and I'm pretty sure people didn't pay though, and I know as an organisation they worked hard on being open and available to everyone. Maybe give them a call and see.

kjl26

Actually, just had a quick look at their site, and it says:

A unique aspect of Marriage Care is a counselling service without charge.

Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

Beckipeg

... even if you don't normally go there, many will offer counselling for couples, helping marriages is something most Christian churches feel strongly about.

A popular source of information is Care for the Family (http://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/, 029 2081 0800, mail@cff.org.uk) who have books and videos you can use to help eg. "The sixty minute marriage". They will send resources free if you can't afford to pay. They also run seminars and may have local people they can refer you to.

Hope you have the opportunity to sort things out - keep talking!

Becki.

AnnieH

Thanks for all your replies:) I really think we need to try this route. I bought a book by Relate last year - A Guide To Staying Together. I thought it would really help, and after we read the 1st chapter we were getting along a lot better, but then his interest waned. He finally admitted that he has reading difficulties, and felt pressurised and uncomfortable with working through the book.

So that avenue is now closed to us, and we are still having problems, I think we need some direct action. The way I feel right now, is that I would rather he wasn't around me. The way he treats our children is appalling. Not that he MIStreats them, but as we both have children from previous relationships, he really favours his son, whereas his daughter gets left out, and my daughters - well, he just shouts at them all the time.

On the other hand, I don't want us to split up, as my daughter has ASD and it would really be hard for her to cope with yet another change in her life. If he could just chill out, open up and treat all the kids the same, things would be so much different.:(

deaththecat

Sorry to hear you're having difficulties but well done for wanting to try and work at it!

I'm a counsellor and I have a set number of sessions a week that I see people at a much reduced rate, it may be worth while phoning around a few local counsellors and asking them if they do something similar but make sure they are qualified to counsel couples!

Good luck.

tee_pee_2

Hiya

sorry to hear you are going through a bad time.I see a Councellor butmy HR dept put me on to it ( as I have had time off sick) and the co pays for the 1st 6 sessions.

If your relationship is affecting your work, thrn maybe you could ask work if they have any schemes in place.

HTH