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.
The fees should reflect the counsellor's level of education and experience. If there are specialities, the therapist charging a higher fee for that service, is appropriate.
The counsellor should try to accommodate the client with an affordable fee structure. If such an accommodation can not be made, the therapist should be able to inform the client of lower-cost options they could avail of.
Clients should always feel they can discuss their financial issues with counselling and ask the therapist if fees can be reduced even temporarily.
Many counsellors are in debt after counselling training. Some counsellors may work for years before this money is recovered.
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.
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.
Apart from paying for the professional service, the client is also paying for the counsellor's rent of the room or the cost of maintenance if the counsellor owns the room. A counsellor also has mandatory ongoing education and registration costs.
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 a more broader work.
It is worth inquiring of your medical insurance, if you have it, what cover they may be able to give for some counselling sessions. This is becoming increasingly common. If your issues are work based your employer might pass you on to their employee assist 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 or after 9am to 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