Online counselling cost, fees and booking
Clear, honest pricing, with a small number of low-cost places.
Online counselling with me costs £45 for a 50-minute session, charged in pounds, and the same applies in person in Shrewsbury. A few reduced-fee places are available for students, trainees and people on a low income. Evening appointments are available in UK time. You can pay online when you book or by bank transfer. I'm a trainee counsellor and BACP student member working under supervision, and my fee reflects that.
How much does online counselling cost?
£45 per 50-minute session, charged in pounds sterling. The fee is the same for online sessions by secure video and for in-person sessions in Shrewsbury. If you pay from another currency, your bank sets the exchange rate.
There are no packages or subscriptions. The first session is a normal session at the same fee, and you pay session by session after that.
Low-cost online counselling: sliding-scale places
I keep a limited number of sliding-scale or reduced-fee places for students, trainees and people on a low income. Places open up when someone finishes counselling, so availability changes from month to month.
Please ask about availability when you contact me. You don't need to send proof or justify yourself at length. A line saying you'd like a concession place is enough, and if none is free at the moment, I'll say so in my reply.
Online therapy evening appointments
Evening sessions are available in UK time. If you live in continental Western Europe, that's usually one hour later for you, so a 6pm session in the UK is 7pm in Paris, Berlin or Vienna. That can make it easier to talk after work and once the house is quiet.
The booking calendar converts every open slot into your own time zone, so you don't have to work it out. If you live abroad, the English-speaking counsellor pages cover time zones and local crisis lines country by country.
How to book an online counselling session and pay
You can pay securely online when you book an online counselling session. Choose a time in the calendar, add your details and pay, and you'll receive a confirmation email with the link for our video session.
If you'd rather pay by bank transfer, email hello@michellefernando.com and I'll send you the details, ideally before the session. If you're unsure what happens once you're in the room, I've written about what to expect in your first counselling session.
Cancellation policy
Life happens, and I understand that. Because your appointment time is reserved for you alone, I ask for at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice may be charged the full fee.
To cancel or move a session, use the link in your booking confirmation or email hello@michellefernando.com. If something unexpected happens close to the time, please let me know as soon as you can.
Why is the fee £45?
Because I'm still in training. I'm a Trainee Person-Centred Counsellor completing an MSc at Keele University, a student member of the BACP, and I work under regular clinical supervision. Fully qualified counsellors usually charge more. I'd rather be open about where I am in my training and price my work honestly, so that counselling is within reach for more people. You can read more about my training.
If you're comparing what online therapy costs on a subscription app with paying per session, I've written about private counselling vs therapy apps. The free is online counselling right for me? reflection may also help before you spend anything.
Can I use health insurance?
Generally, no. I'm a UK-based trainee counsellor, and counselling with me is private. It isn't part of the healthcare system in the UK or in the country where you live. Most insurance policies are unlikely to cover it, but every policy is different, so please check with your insurer if you're unsure.
If cost is the main barrier right now, there is plenty of free, reputable help too. My free self-help resources and the helplines directory list options by topic and by country.
If you'd like to know more about what sessions involve, see how I work.
Questions people ask
How much does online therapy cost with you?
A 50-minute session costs £45, whether we meet online or in person in Shrewsbury. The fee is charged in pounds sterling. If you pay from another currency, your bank or card provider will convert it at their own rate. There's no subscription or package to sign up for. You pay per session, and I keep a limited number of low-cost places.
Do you offer low-cost or sliding-scale places?
Yes, a limited number of reduced-fee places, sometimes called sliding-scale places, are available for students, trainees and people on a low income. Availability changes, so please ask when you get in touch. You don't need to send proof or explain your finances in detail. A short email to hello@michellefernando.com saying you would like a concession place is enough to start.
Is the first session free?
No. The first session is a full 50-minute session at the usual fee of £45, charged in pounds. It's a real session, and also a chance for both of us to see whether we can work well together. If you have questions before you book, you're welcome to email hello@michellefernando.com, and I'll reply within 48 hours.
Do you offer evening appointments?
Yes. Evening sessions are available in UK time. They can suit people who work during the day, and clients abroad, since most of continental Western Europe is one hour ahead of the UK. The booking calendar shows open times converted to your own time zone, so you can see what fits before you book.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Please give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or move a session. Your time is reserved only for you, so sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice may be charged the full fee. You can reschedule through the link in your booking confirmation or by emailing me.
Can I pay by bank transfer?
Yes. You can pay securely online when you book through the booking page, or, if you prefer bank transfer, email hello@michellefernando.com and I'll send you the details. Either way, the fee is £45 per session, charged in pounds. Please mention bank transfer when you write so we can arrange it before your session.