Overview

Cambridge Counselling Service is a non-profit organisation working with people across Cambridgeshire to get their lives on track.

The usual fee for counselling is:

£60

Per session (rate 1).

We also have three further fee rates available on request. These are based on annual family income. The rates are:

£50

Per session (rate 2): for people who have access to an annual family income of £30-40k.

AND

£38

Per session (rate 3): for people who have access to an annual family income of £18-30k.

AND

£15

Per session (rate 4): for people on lower (less than £18k/annum) or no family income.

Rate 4 sessions tend to be with associate counsellors. These are counsellors who are in the late stages of training. If you want to explore the possibility of working with an associate counsellor, we are likely to offer you an one-off initial assessment session with one of our established counsellors, which will cost £38. At the end of this session, which some people find therapeutic in itself, we will either set up appointments for you with an associate counsellor or recommend a range of other options for you.

Cambridge Counselling Service is one of the few places in Cambridgeshire where longer-term low-cost counselling is sometimes available.

The initial sessions can be booked by e-mail or via the answering service. Please tell us in advance which rate you want to pay. We sometimes arrange a short telephone conversation before the initial appointment, lasting up to 10 minutes. Book an initial appointment now.

Selection of the appropriate fee rate

The appropriate fee rate is agreed in discussion with your counsellor. People paying the higher rates allow us to provide counselling at lower rates to those with more limited finances. Each counsellor has a different number of sessions available at the different fee rates - and some counsellors have a limited number of sessions at the lower fee rates and/or will only offer lower fee rates for a limited period of time. There also tend to be a limited number of sessions available in the evenings and weekends at the lower fee rates. 

In setting the appropriate rate, we normally suggest that annual income is based on family income (eg including partners or, in the case of students, including parents). However, in some circumstances, the fee paid can be based on personal income, rather than family income (eg during a separation process). Furthermore, we normally suggest that people with the ability to draw on significant savings or assets (including occupational pensions) should pay a higher rate than applies to their annual income level. Similarly, we may suggest that single people, without family financial commitments, pay a higher rate than applies to their income level.

Applying for a £15 fee

The £15 fee may be an option for anyone who cannot afford the standard fee because of lower income - for example, students who cannot get financial help from their parents or anyone who is unemployed or has no income, who cannot get financial help from a partner or friends. We wouldn’t want anyone to deny themselves the chance for counselling for financial reasons, so please do get in touch by e-mail if you would like to explore the possibility of paying a reduced fee. We don’t ask for proof of low income, but take it on trust that you need to have reduced fees in order to afford counselling, and do not have savings, family income or the ability to borrow the money.

Discounts for long term work

It is sometimes possible for people in certain circumstances (eg student counsellors in training) to request a lower fee rate for long term work (ie having counselling for a year or more).

Other services

We also offer counselling for organisations and employee assistance programmes. This costs £60-150 (for the initial session) and up to £50-£85/session (for subsequent sessions), for any counselling funded by organisations. These fees cover assessment (and referral if necessary), the counselling, any liaison with the organisation that is required (within strict confidentiality rules) and invoicing. For more information see: www.employeecounsellingcambridge.co.uk. Also, Resilience Coaching, a specialised and focused form of coaching for people facing difficult circumstances at work is available at £100 per 90-minute session. See: www.resilience-coaching.co.uk

Couples counselling costs £70/session. Lower rates are sometimes available to couples, depending on income, and in negotiation with your counsellor.

Group counselling/therapy and skills groups are priced depending on the group.

Paying using private insurance

Our counsellors are registered with a range of private medical companies, including Aviva, PruHealth, CPA, Cigna and Benenden Healthcare. We can accept referrals from GPs or psychiatrists, subject the terms of your health insurance provision.