Horsham Counselling Services

When you're looking to start counselling it can feel like a minefield trying to find the right person or service for you. You generally have 3 options here...

1. Private therapy with an individual therapist

2. A paid counselling service/group

3. A free funded service (e.g. the NHS)

So what's the difference, what's right for you and who is around?

1. Private therapy with an individual therapist

This usually involves searching online or getting a recommendation for a registered private therapist. The best way to do this is to use a regulated platform like Counselling Directory, The BACP or Psychology Today where therapists have to prove their credentials in order to be listed.

Once you're on these sites you can put in your search criteria and then look through the list of local therapists and choose the person who appeals most to you. These will be individuals working for themselves but who are part of registered bodies. In Horsham currently you can expect to pay roughly £50-£80 per session for private therapy.

2. A paid counselling service/group

As well as having individual therapy in Horsham, there are also Horsham counselling services. The most prominent of which is Horsham & Crawley Counselling Group (HCCG). This is a community interest company who offer lower cost counselling (fees on a sliding scale based on income) and offer individual and young person's counselling.

Fees here start at a lower rate than private individuals. There is usually a wait list and so you may have to wait weeks or a few months to start.

3. A free funded counselling service

In Horsham, like in many areas, the main 'free' therapy service is that provided by the NHS - Horsham Time to Talk. You can self-refer so no need to go through your GP. The service is all free. You will have an assessment with a practitioner who will then recommend you for whichever service they believe best suits your needs.

Now the thing to remember here is that the NHS has limited resources and so you may not always be offered the service you would most like. Many people are offered courses or groups which can be really beneficial.

The other way to access 'free' therapy may be through your private health insurance and through Employee Assistance Programmes through your workplace. You can often access between 6-12 sessions through providers like AXA, AVIVA, WPA and BUPA.

If you are looking for some therapy and don't know where to start then please do reach out and I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have and signpost you in the right direction if needed.