Cost of counselling?

GobbledyGook

I realise this is probably a piece of string question, but is it very expensive to see a counsellor?

After spending time with another solicitor today over yesterday's nightmare arrival I've been thinking that I could really do with someone to talk too.

I've got friends who are mainly colleagues or other Mum's, but no real best friend that I can pour my heart out too. My cousin is my best friend, but she has tonnes on her plate at the moment so I can't burden her.

I just feel I have so many questions about my childhood that I would like to talk to someone about because perhaps they could help me deal with all my emotions about it.

whitewing

Private accredited psychologists are approx £80 an hour here.

It may be worth ringing the Samaritans or a helpline first to just offload for a few weeks. That will bring some direction to your thinking that you can then take to a psychologist.

Some companies also provide counselling thro wellbeing helplines so worth checking out too.

Counting_Pennies_2

It all depends really.

Here in sunny Berkshire I have been to a £25 an hour and my current one is £45.

http://www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk/therapists/

This list comes from the national association BACP. If the first counsellor doesn't feel right, don't be afraid to go with another. It took me three counsellors to find the right one.

GobbledyGook

I wouldn't like to call the Samaritans because they are for people who are in desperate need. I'm not in desperate need, I just need to offload and work through some stuff.

It's typical - I had counselling in my teens, but I only went twice because I didn't think I needed to talk to anyone. Typical teenager eh? I knew it all then!

Thanks

kat74

In my area (northwest) costs are about £40 per hour. I've been told that once a week, for about 10 weeks is a ball park as a starting point. Obviously every situation is different, you might want more or less, but this number of sessions gives you chance to explore the issues, track your progress, do some excercises, decide how useful you find it, reflect on what you talk about etc.
Hope this helps.

gratefulforhelp_2

I would say ask your GP to put you in touch with someone, and be prepared to commit serious time and maybe cash to it. Good luck.

jackieglasgow

Gobbledy Gook there are organisations out there for adults who have been through things in their childhood, which offer their services for free or low cost, it would be worth finding out if there is such an organisation in your area. An organisation like the NSPCC may be able to help you find an organisation which has counsellors specially trained in the subjects you wish to talk about, or try good old Google. x

sweetilemon

I think your GP is the best starting point a few years ago i think the first 3sessions are free but that was a while back and in scotland.

Errata

Adding to Jackie's suggestion, many districts have a Well Woman or Womens centre offering free or very low cost counselling.
The BACP website has a list of qualified counsellors by area and an indication of the cost.
HTH

GobbledyGook

Thanks all.

My GP wasn't particularly interested before because I had counselling before, but maybe I'll try and get an appointment with another GP in the practise.

pug_in_a_bed

Just ask your gp to be referred to a counselling service; I've been referred twice and it was free; each time i attended for about 10 weeks although the waiting time for a therapist was about 4 months on one occasion.