Low Cost Counselling Online
Affordable therapy with our trainee therapist — fully supervised, ethically delivered.
Therapy at a More Accessible Fee
Therapy can feel out of reach when finances are tight — but everyone deserves a thoughtful, professional space to talk. Our low-cost counselling service is designed to make individual therapy genuinely accessible, without compromising on the warmth, ethics or care that define our practice.
It’s a service we’re proud of. It opens the door to people who might otherwise miss out, and it gives a carefully selected trainee therapist on our team the chance to develop their practice with the close support of senior colleagues. Currently, Isobel is the Trainee Therapist on our team, as she works to complete her Level 4 Therapeutic Counselling diploma.
Our Low Cost Counselling Service
Low-cost counselling at The Relationship Therapy Practice means:
- One-to-one online therapy for adult individuals (not couples)
- A substantially reduced fee compared with our standard therapist rates
- Sessions with our trainee therapist, Isobel
- An initial suitability assessment with a qualified therapist before any sessions begin
- Every one of Isobel’s sessions held within ongoing clinical supervision by a senior, qualified supervisor on our team
- The same secure online platform, ethics and confidentiality as our standard service
Who Low Cost Counselling is for
This service is open to adults across the UK looking for individual support, and is particularly suited to:
- Students, recent graduates and early-career professionals
- People on lower incomes, between jobs or in financial transition
- Single parents, carers and those whose household budgets are stretched
- Anyone for whom standard private therapy fees feel out of reach
- People able to commit to longer-term, weekly work — often the most effective way to use therapy
It’s a strong fit for issues including anxiety and low mood, self-esteem, work stress, life transitions, processing past experiences, identity and relationships with others.
When Low Cost Counselling may not be right
We want to be honest about what suits this service and what doesn’t. Low-cost counselling with a trainee may not be the right fit for:
- Couples or family work — Isobel currently sees individuals only
- Complex trauma, severe or current risk, or specialist clinical presentations
- Children and young people — we have separate provision for under-18s
If any of these apply, we’ll guide you towards a more suitable therapist on our team or see if we can link you into a more appropriate service. No one is ever simply turned away.
Why We Assess First
Before any low-cost sessions begin, you’ll have an initial suitability assessment with one of our qualified therapists. This is usually a single session, and it has two purposes:
- To make sure low-cost counselling with a trainee is genuinely the right fit for you, your circumstances and what you’re bringing
- To support Isobel’s training development by ensuring she works with the cases that match her current stage of practice
It’s a thoughtful, two-way conversation — not an exam. If we agree it’s the right fit, we’ll arrange your first session with Isobel. If something else would serve you better, we’ll say so honestly and help you find the right next step.
How Supervision Protects Your Therapy
All ethical therapists in the UK — including the most senior — work within regular clinical supervision. Supervision is a confidential, structured space in which a therapist discusses their casework with an experienced supervisor. It’s a quiet but essential part of how good therapy stays good.
For trainees, supervision is especially intensive. Every aspect of Isobel’s work with clients is held within ongoing clinical supervision from a senior, qualified supervisor on our team. That means you’re never simply working with one person’s judgement — you’re working with the carefully held thinking of a wider, experienced practice.
Your confidentiality is fully preserved. Supervision discussions never identify you by name or identifying details.
How Sessions Work & Fees
- 50 minutes, weekly, at the same day and time
- Secure, encrypted online video platform
- A relational, integrative approach — the work is shaped by you and what you bring
- Most clients work with Isobel over a longer course of therapy; trainees are required to commit to longer-term work, and most clients find this depth genuinely valuable
Fees
Low cost counselling sessions are offered at a substantially reduced fee compared with our standard therapist rates, usually around £40+VAT. We’re always transparent about fees — you’ll know exactly what to expect before sessions begin.
Get in Touch!
If low-cost counselling sounds like it could be right for you, the first step is a free, confidential fifteen-minute call. We’ll listen to what’s happening, answer your questions and arrange your initial assessment with one of our qualified therapists.
FAQ
Is counselling with a Trainee as effective as counselling with a fully qualified therapist?
For many people, yes. A large body of research suggests that therapeutic outcome depends more on the quality of the relationship between client and therapist than on years of qualification. Our trainees bring warmth, current best-practice training and close attention — supported by intensive supervision from senior colleagues.
Can you see me by myself if my partner doesn't want to come?
Yes, we are very happy to work with you as an individual if your partner doesn’t want to join for couple therapy. Working 1:1 means you have the privacy and space to explore your own thoughts and feelings, to understand more about your role in your relationship dynamics and to explore what changes you can make personally.
See our page on “Individual Therapy” to find out more.
What if I prefer to work with a qualified Therapist?
You’re very welcome to. Our standard service offers therapy with experienced, fully qualified therapists, and you can move from low-cost counselling to standard sessions at any time if you’d prefer.
Is a Trainee qualified to work with me?
Isobel is in advanced training on an accredited counselling or psychotherapy programme and is able to work with individual clients with a range of common difficulties such as anxiety, loss, low mood, relationship difficulties or low self esteem. Trainee therapists are required by their professional body to have completed core foundational training and to work only within ongoing supervision. We add a further layer by assessing every client first with a qualified therapist on our team.
If we feel your particular circumstances would benefit from working with a more experienced therapist, we will talk to you about this after the assessment and make our professional recommendations.
You can read more about our team here.
Is Low Cost Counselling Confidential?
Yes — exactly as confidential as our standard service. The same ethics, the same data protection, the same privacy. Supervision discussions never include identifying details about you.
Can I attend fortnightly or monthly?
All low cost counselling sessions are weekly appointments. Our Trainee will hold an appointment in her diary that is reserved for you on a weekly basis. Any breaks or holiday will be notified to you well in advance.
You can read more about our team here.