How much to charge as a counsellor or therapist in the UK
Most guides to therapy fees are written for clients. This one is for you: what UK therapists typically charge, how to work out what you need to charge, and how to raise your fee without losing sleep.
By the NoteSono team · Last reviewed · 3 sources checked
The short answer
Private counselling in the UK typically costs £40 to £60 a session, according to fees advertised in BACP's directory. Psychotherapists and psychologists often charge more, and London fees run higher.
The fee that is right for you depends less on averages than on your sums: the income you need, your practice costs, and how many sessions you can sustainably give. Use the calculator below to work it out.
What UK therapists typically charge
There is no official UK fee survey. The best-sourced figure we found is that counselling typically costs £40 to £60 a session, which TherapyRoute reports is what more than half of therapists in BACP's directory advertise, citing BACP's own guidance for clients. It is not an official rate.
Fees tend to be higher for:
- psychotherapists with longer training, and HCPC psychologists
- London and the South East
- couples and family work, which usually means longer sessions
- specialist work such as EMDR or trauma therapy
- clinical supervision
And lower for trainees, low-cost services and some online-only practices.
Work out the fee you need
Start from what you need, not what others charge. Enter your own figures:
Fee you need per session
£68
Based on about 502 paid sessions a year.
Worked examples
Fee needed per session, assuming £4,000 a year in costs, 44 working weeks and 5% unpaid cancellations:
| Caseload | £25,000 income | £35,000 income | £45,000 income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 clients a week | £87 | £117 | £147 |
| 12 clients a week | £58 | £78 | £98 |
| 16 clients a week | £43 | £58 | £73 |
| 20 clients a week | £35 | £47 | £59 |
BACP's 2025 working practices survey found members averaged about 10 paid client hours a week. Many therapists find that 15 to 20 clients a week is the most they can sustain alongside supervision, notes, CPD and admin. Build your fee on a caseload you can keep up, not your best week.
For a fuller model of your practice finances, try our private practice calculator.
Costs to include
- Clinical supervision, often monthly or more
- Professional body membership and accreditation
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Room hire, or a share of home costs
- CPD and training
- ICO data protection fee
- Software: notes, diary, invoicing, video
- Website, directory listings and marketing
- Accountant, bank charges and card fees
- Your own personal therapy, if your modality expects it
Concessions and sliding scales
Many therapists offer some reduced-fee places, for students, people on low incomes or those on benefits. Two approaches work well:
- A fixed number of concession places, such as two a week, at a set lower fee. Easy to manage, and it protects your income.
- A sliding scale linked to income bands. Fairer, but harder to administer and to discuss.
Whichever you choose, agree it in your contract and review it, rather than renegotiating session by session.
Insurer and EAP rates
Insurers and employee assistance programmes set their own rates, usually below private fees, in exchange for steady referrals. Work out what share of your caseload you are willing to see at those rates. See our guide to registering with Bupa and AXA.
Raising your fees
- Review fees once a year, on a fixed date, and say so in your contract.
- Give existing clients at least four weeks' notice.
- Consider holding the fee for existing clients for a period, and applying the new fee to new clients straight away.
- Talk about it in the session as well as in writing.
VAT
Common questions
How much do counsellors charge per session in the UK?
Typically £40 to £60, based on fees advertised in BACP's directory. Psychotherapists, psychologists and London-based therapists often charge more.
How do I work out my counselling fee?
Add the income you want to your annual practice costs, then divide by the number of paid sessions you can realistically deliver in a year, allowing for holidays, illness and cancellations.
How many clients a week does a full-time counsellor see?
There is no standard. BACP's 2025 survey found members averaged about 10 paid client hours a week. Many therapists find 15 to 20 a week sustainable alongside supervision, notes and admin.
Should I charge less for online sessions?
Some therapists do because they save on room costs, but the clinical time is the same. Many charge the same fee for both.
How much notice should I give before raising my fee?
At least four weeks for existing clients is common practice. Say in your contract how and when you review fees.
Sources
Checked on 19 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on a figure.
- TherapyRoute: How much does therapy cost in the UK? — £40 to £60, citing BACP; reviewed July 2026
- BACP Working Practices 2025 survey report — average paid client hours
- BACP Ethical Framework (2018) — commitment 4b: communicating costs
Fee figures are indicative. There is no official UK survey of therapy fees. This guide is not financial advice.