Counselling, what a rip off!!

mae

cattie wrote: »

I work for free with bereaved people, particularly those who have lost a child, which I have done myself. This was my sole reason for wanting to train as opposed to wanting to actually earn money from it.

Sometimes when you've been through a dreadful tragedy in life, you just want to try to give something back to others who you can truly empathise with, when you manage to come through it.

I am very sorry for your loss and sorry if my post caused offence. Most counsellors seem to go into counselling due to some kind of trauma or bad experience my self included. I am still surprised however that it didn't cost you thousands in pounds and cost in terms of all the years training and even though we can give something back due to our experinces I want to do this as a full time job and could not possibly continue to do this for free and eventually I will have to charge the going rate to get something back, however I know I will still go above and beyond to help as it is in my nature.

RoxsiScotland

lynzpower wrote: »

have you spoken to MIND? they usually have a list of private counsellors who take on free work for those on benefits, certainly worth a call Roxi x

i didnt know about this, will go and look into it now. thanks, very kind of you to point this out.

eira

£40 is the going rate. I went to Relate but you could hear ,never mind feel, the gaps in the counsellor's training . Some counsellors are worth every penny others are totally useless-depends on the person, the organisation and the training. Try other organisations-like Mind that anoher poster suggested. Sounds a bit arrogant but I would question where the training comes from

Bettyboop

Hi, we are seeing Relate in Peterborough. We honestly told them that we couldn't afford £40 so they asked if we could pay £20 per session instead. Our counsellor was willing to take less and she also said that no one is turned away. If you genuinely cannot afford it then be honest with them and ask them what they would be willing to accept. Alternatively, you could make an offer. Before you completely write things off for good with your boyfriend you should always explore other routes. Good Luck.

Sarahsaver

At that particular 'counselling centre' (the leicester branch) I had to leave a session because my ex was threatening me, I was clearly distressed and the 'counsellor' didn't bring the session to an end.
I would not go there again if my LIFE depended on it.
In my experience Relate is where you go when you are at the end of the road but just cannot quite come to terms that that is the case...

Nicki

What kind of overheads would they have?

1. The counsellor's salary. Say the counsellor gets £10 per hour. Note this will include not just the hours when she is seeing clients (and therefore bringing in income) but also preparing for the sessions and writing up her notes.
2. Employers tax and national insurance
3. Rent on the premises, lighting, heating, business rates, cleaning
4. Support staff - eg receptionist and any admin people
5. % to go into the kitty to subsidise the people who get the reduced rate because they can't afford it
6. Payment to the supervising counsellors (say £5 per hour, as they won't be doing as much hands-on work)

I'm surprised to be honest they can break even on £40. I think its a bargain!

Ms_Chocaholic

RoxsiScotland wrote: »

ive been on the waiting list for a year and a half for a psychologist for my severe depression among other problems.

i have literally begged different doctors to get me some help but theres nothing they can do exept throw me more pills and hope i dont kill myself that week.

ive been told my only option at the moment is to pay for one, doesnt seem likely that i can pay £40 an hour from my £45 a week benefits though! i know they cant do it for free all the time but they really are profiting of peoples misery.

i really feel for you, and i hope you and your partner can work it out, i wish you all the best.

Have you checked out the BACP website .... click "find a therapist" by location. Some do offer discounted rates if you book x amount of sessions, some counsellors offer discounts for students (so I imagine they also offer discounts for people like yourself) and it states that some rates are negotiable.

Hope this helps.

PS I just clicked on three random counsellors (not in any particular area as unsure where you live) and it has their rates at the bottom of each individual counsellors page.

bestpud

cattie wrote: »

I work for free with bereaved people, particularly those who have lost a child, which I have done myself. This was my sole reason for wanting to train as opposed to wanting to actually earn money from it.

Sometimes when you've been through a dreadful tragedy in life, you just want to try to give something back to others who you can truly empathise with, when you manage to come through it.

As mae said, many counsellors are drawn to the profession through personal experience, but they still have to live don't they?

If you don't mind me asking, what do you live on? Also, how did you train without spending thousands? Was it a BACP accredited course?

Sorry for being nosey! I'm thinking of becoming a counsellor myself and the costs of training seems a big barrier at the moment. Just to add, it is personal experience that has drawn me to the profession too and I very much want others to benefit the way I have. Buuuut, I need to make a living too.

Ms_Piggy_2

TBH, I think £40 per hour is on the cheaper side - there are plenty of therapists who will charge far more.

AFAIK, Relate are a charity. They don't operate to make a profit, and they offer a sliding scale of fees dependent on income. They will not turn away anyone on their ability to pay and actually ask what you feel you should pay.

FWIW, I went with my partner and we paid *more* than was recommended as we could and we felt we could then subsidise other. As we got married this year, you could say it was money very well spend as it sorted us out!

kaya

What price do you put on your relationship?