{"id":2764,"date":"2013-09-25T19:34:37","date_gmt":"2013-09-25T18:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/?p=2764"},"modified":"2026-04-09T14:02:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T13:02:27","slug":"low-cost-therapy-free-counselling-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harleytherapy.co.uk\/counselling\/low-cost-therapy-free-counselling-services.htm","title":{"rendered":"Free Counselling or Low Cost Therapy – Where Can I Get It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Are you looking to book low cost counselling as soon as possible? You can now visit our sister site HarleyTherapy.com<\/a><\/span> and book low cost, in-person therapy across the UK. Not in the UK? You can also book phone and online therapy wherever you are in the world. <\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

At Harley Therapy we do appreciate that not everyone is in the position to afford a private therapist when they need one.<\/p>\n

But that no longer means you can’t find the help you need.<\/strong> Psychological therapies are becoming more accessible all the time, and there are now a range of options to suit your income.<\/p>\n

Have your heart set on working with a certain, more costly therapist? Using low cost therapy or free counselling now doesn’t rule out that option for the future<\/strong>. It more likely would just set a positive groundwork that you can build on. The most important thing is to not delay feeling better.<\/p>\n

How to Find Low Cost or Free Counselling <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

*These examples pertain to the UK, but other countries often have similar setups. Use the following examples as inspiration to do research on the area you live. <\/em><\/p>\n

Government Provided Health Services<\/h4>\n

The National Health Service (NHS) offers free counselling and psychological services for UK residents. If you are too private to ask your GP for a referral, or put off by rumours of long waiting lists, you’ll be pleased to hear that they have recently introduced IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy). It reduces wait times and means that in some cases you can refer yourself. Find links to services in your area here https:\/\/www.iapt.nhs.uk\/services\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Government Supported Charities<\/h4>\n
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By: ROSE PHYSICAL THERAPY GROUP<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

MIND is one of the UK\u2019s leading mental health charities offering free advice and information about mental health. In some areas it also offers therapeutic services. It’s best to get in touch with your local MIND branch to find what’s on offer. https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/information-support\/local-minds\/<\/a> or call 0300 123 3393<\/p>\n

ReThink is another UK mental health charity that offers telephone advice on mental health. They can tell you about support groups in your area. https:\/\/www.rethink.org<\/a> or call 0300 5000 927.<\/p>\n

Workplace Schemes<\/h4>\n

If you are working for a large firm, it’s likely there is a free counselling service or Employee Assistance Programme. You can enquire with your employer or Human Resources team, who are obligated to protect your privacy.<\/p>\n

School Counsellors<\/h4>\n

Schools, colleges, and universities in the UK will have free counsellors available to students. Look into what is on offer.<\/p>\n

Medical Insurance<\/h4>\n

Check your health insurance. In the UK policies with companies like BUPA Global, WPA and Cigna often entitle you to private and free counselling sessions with a recognised provider. You may need to be assessed by a psychiatrist or GP before a referral to a psychologist or psychotherapist is given. So call the insurance company to get details.<\/p>\n

And while you are at it, check for any excess you may need to pay. Recently BUPA UK, AXA and AVIVA have capped their fees. This means that many well-regarded therapists will not accept BUPA UK, AXA and AVIVA clients because their fees are not fully covered by what these insurers now offer.<\/p>\n

Community Services<\/h4>\n

Your local area is likely to have a number of community groups and charitable services that can help with psychological issues. These include drug and alcohol services, women’s centres, and 12-step groups. Try checking your local council’s website for mental health information. Or search the internet for ‘mental health services’ or ‘free counselling’ along with the name or post code of your area.<\/p>\n

Low Cost and Sliding Scale Therapists<\/h4>\n

What a counsellor or psychotherapist charges is entirely up to them. With some good research it’s possible to find someone in your price range. Or find an accredited therapist that takes on a certain number of clients at reduced rates. Called ‘sliding scale’, they charge you according to your income.<\/p>\n

Here are some websites that allow you to search for local accredited therapists in the UK.<\/p>\n