- 1-2-1
- Weekly
- 50 mins
- Online
- £30 per session
- Concessions available
FAQ's
What is online counselling like? How long is a "session"? When will I have my sessions? Where will it take place?
Online therapy sessions take place weekly at the same time and day. Sessions are available:
Monday to Friday: 8am–8pm
Saturday: 9am–4pm
Session times are subject to counsellor availability. During your initial consultation it’s helpful to share as many time options as you can, as this gives us more flexibility when matching you with a counsellor.
If you’re a shift worker, please let us know. We welcome shift workers and will do our best to match you with a counsellor who can offer more flexibility. If your availability is limited, it may take a little longer to find the right match, but we’ll keep you informed throughout.
Counselling sessions are offered on an ongoing, open-ended basis. Because counselling is a personal process, you’re welcome to continue for as long as it feels helpful for you.
Our counsellors commit to working with each client for a minimum of 24 weeks. If a counsellor is planning to leave the service after this time, you’ll be given at least 12 weeks’ notice, so there’s time to prepare and talk things through.
If this happens, you can choose what feels right for you — whether that’s being matched with a new counsellor, taking a break, or ending counselling if you feel ready.
Each online counselling session lasts 50 minutes.
Sessions are held weekly at the same time and day, which your counsellor reserves only for you.
Our standard fee for online counselling is £30 per 50-minute session (£25 + VAT).
We’re committed to making counselling as accessible as possible, so we also offer concessionary rates for people who might otherwise struggle to use the service.
We work hard to keep our fees as low as we can, so that counselling remains affordable and accessible to those who need it most.
As a Community Interest Company, any surplus we make is reinvested into local community initiatives and like-minded charities, helping to widen access to mental health support beyond individual therapy.
Unlike other health services, including psychologists and art/dance therapies, counselling is not exempt from VAT and we are required by law to add 20% VAT to our fees which gets paid to HMRC.
We are actively campaigning alongside many other organisations in calling on the Government to expand the VAT exemption to include counselling and psychotherapy.
For more information, please visit: https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/policy-and-research/public-policy/our-policy-goals
During your initial consultation, we’ll take some time to get to know you and understand what you’re looking for from counselling. From there, we’ll carefully match you with a counsellor who has the right experience and availability for your needs.
We know how important it is to feel comfortable with your counsellor. If, after a few sessions, it doesn’t feel like the right fit, that’s okay. Just let us know and we’ll support you in changing to a different counsellor.
Once you’ve agreed a suitable time with your counsellor, your weekly sessions will take place on the same time and day each week, unless you have a job which requires shift work. This regular slot is set aside especially for you.
We understand that counsellors may occasionally take time off, such as for holidays. If this happens, your counsellor will give you plenty of notice and talk this through with you in advance.
ACN offers neurodivergent-affirming counselling and welcomes neurodivergent clients. We welcome clients who are autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic, or identify in other ways, whether or not they have a formal diagnosis.
You do not need to mask or perform in sessions, and you’re free to ask for clear or direct communication if that feels helpful. You can take time to think, go quiet, use notes, or write things down during sessions. You do not need a diagnosis to access counselling, support is available based on your experience, not labels.
Yes. You don’t need to have a clear goal, a plan, or the “right” words to begin counselling. Many people start therapy because something feels difficult, confusing, or unsettled, even if they’re not sure why.
Counselling can offer a steady space to talk things through, reflect, and gradually make sense of what’s going on, at your own pace. Your counsellor will support you in exploring what feels important, without pressure to know where things are heading straight away.
People come to counselling for many different reasons. Some arrive with a clear concern they want to explore, while others come because something feels difficult, heavy, or unsettled, even if they’re not sure why.
Common reasons people seek counselling include feeling anxious or overwhelmed, low mood, stress or burnout, relationship or family difficulties, loss or bereavement, trauma or past experiences, identity questions, self-esteem issues, loneliness, or navigating life changes. Others come to counselling simply because they want a safe space to talk, reflect, and make sense of things.
There’s no “right” reason to come to counselling. If something is affecting your wellbeing or feels hard to carry on your own, it’s valid to bring it into therapy.
Yes. Counselling at ACN is offered in a trauma-informed way, with care, choice, and emotional safety at the centre of the work. Sessions are paced gently, and you are always in control of what you share and when.
You are never expected to talk about traumatic experiences unless you feel ready, and there is no pressure to revisit difficult memories. Your counsellor will work with you to create a sense of safety and stability, and will respect your boundaries throughout the process. Counselling can focus on the present, on coping, or on understanding patterns and feelings, whatever feels most supportive for you.
It’s not unusual for strong feelings to come up during counselling. If you start to feel overwhelmed, you’re always welcome to pause, slow things down, or change the focus of the session. You can also let your counsellor know how you’re feeling, in whatever way feels easiest.
Your counsellor will support you to stay within what feels manageable and will never push you to continue with something that feels too much. Counselling is paced with care, and your sense of safety and control is always prioritised.
Yes. ACN is a culturally sensitive counselling service and welcomes clients from all cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. Our counsellors work with awareness of social, cultural, and lived experience, and we recognise how these can shape wellbeing and identity.
Our counselling team includes people from a range of backgrounds and experiences, and if working with a counsellor who shares or understands certain aspects of your identity feels important to you, you’re welcome to let us know during your initial consultation. We’ll always do our best to take this into account when matching you with a counsellor.
Yes. ACN is an LGBTQIA+ inclusive counselling service, and we welcome people of all sexualities, gender identities, and relationship structures. Our counsellors aim to offer a respectful, affirming space where you can explore your experiences without having to explain or justify who you are.
You’re welcome to bring questions about identity, relationships, family, coming out, or any other experiences that feel important to you, or to talk about things that have nothing to do with your sexuality or gender at all. Counselling is shaped around you, and you don’t need to fit a particular label to be supported.
Regular, weekly sessions are an important part of counselling, as they help create continuity and support meaningful progress over time.
If you need to cancel a session or will be away on holiday, we ask that you let us know at least one week in advance, so your counsellor can release that time. If less notice is given, your usual session fee will still apply.
We understand that emergencies and unexpected situations can happen. If something prevents you from attending your session, please let your counsellor know as soon as you can, and confirm this by emailing: info@affordablecounselling.network
There is no tie-in period or subscription, and you’re free to stop counselling at any time by giving one week’s notice.
If you’re thinking about ending therapy, we gently encourage you to let your counsellor know one to two weeks in advance where possible. Endings can be an important part of the counselling process, and having time to talk this through can help you reflect on your work together and plan a more positive, supported ending.
If at any point you feel your counsellor isn’t the right fit, you’re also very welcome to ask to work with someone else. Counselling is personal, and finding the right match matters.
This is entirely your choice.
Your counsellor is committed to supporting your wellbeing and personal development by offering a safe, respectful, and non-judgemental space. This can be a place to think out loud, bring a “brain dump,” or explore things that feel messy, confusing, or unfinished — all at your own pace, throughout your therapeutic journey.
Yes — all of our counsellors are registered with their relevant professional bodies and work within a strict code of ethics, which includes keeping your counselling space confidential.
There are only a few situations where a counsellor may be legally required to break confidentiality without your consent. These include situations where there is an immediate risk to life (yours or someone else’s), concerns about the safety of a child or young person under 18, or if we are legally required to share information under legislation such as the Terrorism or Drug Trafficking Acts, or by court order.
Breaking confidentiality is always a last resort. Wherever possible and appropriate, your counsellor would talk with you openly about any concerns before taking further steps.
If confidentiality is something you’re worried about, your counsellor will be very happy to talk this through in more detail during your first session and answer any questions you may have.
Your initial consultation will be conducted by a qualified counsellor who operates within the safeguarding requirements of our ethical framework. We have a duty of care to both our clients and counsellors to make sure that the counsellor allocated to each client has an appropriate level of experience.
Many of our therapists are trainee counsellors in clinical placement. They practice a range of therapeutic modalities and styles and join us at different stages in their learning journey. We believe this is one of our strengths and it allows us to accommodate a broad range of clients.
Counsellors registered with a professional body must complete a minimum of 100 hours in clinical placement before they qualify – similar to student nurses and doctors. We ask our trainee counsellors to provide a ‘fit for placement’ letter from their training institute and evidence of their professional memberships.
Our counsellors must go through an interview and training process before they join the Affordable Counselling Network. They have also undertaken additional training to work effectively and safely online
Online counselling offers many benefits. It can save time and travel costs, and allows you to attend sessions from a place where you feel comfortable, safe, and at ease. Many people find this makes it easier to open up and fit therapy into everyday life.
It’s important that you’re in a private, confidential space for your session, where you won’t be overheard or interrupted. This helps protect your privacy and allows you to focus fully on the conversation.
Before your first session, your counsellor will send you a secure meeting link. Most sessions take place via Google Meet. You don’t need a Google account if you’re joining through a web browser on a computer. If you’re using the Google Meet app on a phone or tablet, you’ll need to sign in with a Google account.
You’ll need a device with a camera and microphone, along with a stable internet connection.
If you’d like support using online meeting platforms, please mention this during your initial consultation or let us know at least 24 hours before your first session, and we’ll be happy to send you clear, step-by-step guidance.
If you experience any technical difficulties on the day of your session, please let your counsellor know as soon as possible — ideally at least 10 minutes before the session start time. If this happens, your counsellor can contact you by phone, provided you’ve been able to let them know about the issue in advance.
If you decide that you’d like to take a break from counselling, we ask that you let your counsellor know at least one week in advance, so you won’t be charged for your next session.
To help us keep things clear, please also email our Admin Team to confirm your break via: info@affordablecounselling.network
If you do take some time away, you’re very welcome to return to counselling whenever you feel ready. Although we can’t guarantee that your original counsellor or session time will still be available, we’ll do our best to support you in finding a suitable option when you come back.
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you have rights regarding your personal data, and we encourage you to contact us if you have any concerns.
We take very brief client notes after each session, typically a sentence or two. This enables us to provide you with the best possible service. All information about you is held securely.
Please see our Privacy Policy for more details.
If you have any queries, please feel welcome to contact Lisa or Jo directly:
Initial Consultation
£15 (£12.50 + vat)
Time: 30 mins
Your initial consultation will be with one of our qualified counsellors and will last for 30 minutes. This is a chance for you to tell us a little about what you would like to gain from our online counselling services to help us match you with one of the counsellors on our team.
Therapy Sessions
£30 (£25 + vat)
Time: 50 mins
The Affordable Counselling Network is social enterprise (Community Interest Company). We rely on the prompt payment of fees to continue offering a low-cost service. The fee for each weekly session is £30.00 (£25 + vat).