Counselling and the issue of money

Some people approach counselling with the fear that they can not afford it.  They fear being engaged in a very long process, doing deep work, and they will not be able to leave safely. This could result in paying for a service they can no longer afford.

For the counsellor, there is the desire to provide counselling at a cost to clients they can afford. This desire has to be balanced with the reality that the therapist has to make a living. Also, the therapist needs to respect their own training and professional practice.

In the initial stages of the sessions, the client and counsellor discuss how to make the financial side of the sessions work for both of them. Counselling needs to be value for money for both the client and the counsellor.

Basic Principles Regarding Fees?

The relationship between clients,  counsellors, and money is complicated.  
Here  are  some  of  the  main  principles  involved:

Fees should reflect the Local Rate

There is generally a going rate for 1:1 counselling in an area, and most therapists will not vary much from that.

Therapy Fees should reflect the Counsellor's level of Education and Experience

Counsellors should be qualified and accredited with a professional association. Qualification varies from a Diploma to a Doctorate level. There are numerous organisations one can be accredited with. Their criteria are mostly all the same. My qualifications are a Degree in Nursing, a Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy and various studies at master’s level, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

My experience involves 20-plus years of psychiatric nursing. 12 of these were in residential addiction. I have been working in counselling since 2018, full-time since 2021.

Counsellors can offer Discount Rates in Special Circumstances

If such an accommodation can not be made, the therapist should be able to inform the client of lower-cost options they could avail themselves of. Clients should always feel they can discuss their financial issues with a counsellor and ask the therapist if fees can be reduced, even temporarily.
Prevail offers a group booking discount. Also, current recipients of social welfare and third-level undergraduates automatically receive a discount.

Counsellors need to Cover Costs

Many counsellors are in debt after counselling training. Some counsellors may work for years before this money is recovered.  Many Counsellors pay rent. If they own their workspace as I do, there are heating and lighting bills, plus general maintenance. To maintain accreditation, therapists pay for ongoing training.

Fees result in a Professional Approach by Client and Therapist

Clients who pay a reasonable fee realise they have to work in the counselling room. Work done in therapy is then implemented in the real world so as to get value for the money they are paying.  If the counselling is free or very cheap, clients may take advantage of the counsellor and not do any change-related work at all. Such clients may have poor attendance as well.

Counselling Fees Now, Save Medical and other Costs Later

It is possible that counselling now could save you money later. Without counselling, some may incur the cost of missed work, unnecessary spending, relationship problems, medical costs, etc. 

Therapy Fees Protect Counselling’s Professional Status

Counselling is a professional service.   By charging a reasonable fee, counsellors are respecting their own professional status.  

There are services that are available that are virtually free or extremely low cost,  usually staffed by students or unaccredited counsellors. A client can, therefore, always afford counselling.

Yes, counselling can be expensive, but then so can a meal out; indeed, counselling may be cheaper.

How can the cost of professional counselling be managed?

It is rightly said that the relationship between the client and their counsellor is the foundation of the counselling work. The client and counsellor should always feel open to discussing fees. If the client needs a reduced rate, they should make that clear during the initial assessment. The counsellor should identify what their reduced rate policy is. With Prevail, I  have made it clear on the website what my reduced rate policy is. I  restate it at the end of this blog.

While discounts are the usual way to manage client financial strain, the counsellor and client may decide to do a set number of sessions and agree on the workload for those sessions. Such short and focused work can be very helpful. It is very much focused on the present realities and dealing with the problems that make life hard. It is always possible that a client can return and do another area they need to work on or do broader work.

It is worth inquiring about your medical insurance, if you have it, and what coverage they may be able to give for some counselling sessions. This is becoming increasingly common. If your issues are workbased, your employer might pass you on to their employee assistance programmes. These are usually for about  6  sessions and are paid for by the employer.

Fees  and  Prevail  Counselling  Therapy

At Prevail, I believe in clients paying for their sessions for all the reasons I previously stated. I also believe in providing a discount rate to those who are unwaged or students. If an arrangement can not be made with the client around the fee we will look into suitable referral to other agencies.
I will do my best to accommodate clients who are waged while under extreme financial stress.

I engage regularly with my supervisor and practise critical self-awareness to ensure my financial needs do not form part of my motivation in the work with the client.

Currently,  as  of  July  2025,  this  is  my  fee  structure:
- The initial session is €50 regardless of time or day.
- The standard daytime rate is  €70, between 9am to  5pm.
- The standard rate for sessions before 9am or after 5pm is €80. 
- Saturday morning has a rate of €90.
- Those in receipt of provable social welfare or a full-time third-level current student card can avail of a €60 rate.

For more information on how to reduce the cost of therapy with Prevail, please click on this link https://www.prevailcounsellingtherapy.ie/costs