The cost of private counselling in the Hinckley area can range upwards from £40 per hour but Pathways accepts that, where there are financial difficulties, whatever a client offers based on their own hourly rate or overall income, will be acceptable; although a minimum charge of £10 per session is expected. Counsellors are expected to cover their cost of insurance and supervision so the minimum charge of £10 per session helps to cover some of these costs.
Where Pathways is contracted by local schools or organisations our rate may be slightly higher but is still below the average for counselling of this level.
Pathways is largely self-supporting because the Counsellors give their time freely or for a very low fee. However, in order to operate professionally each Counsellor is required to maintain their professional status, insurance, continuing professional development, and receive regular supervision.
Where a client is receiving benefits we only expect a contribution of £10, although this is negotiable in certain cases . The cost for the initial Assessment/ first session is £20 to help cover our administration costs but this is negotiable in the event of financial difficulty. If a Client genuinely cannot contribute anything – as may be the case with a young person – we do not see this as a barrier to them receiving counselling.
Our Child and Adolescent Creative Arts Counsellor will consider reducing rates for some Pathways clients. Please ask for this consideration when making applications for this type of therapy.
In reality, the minimum annual cost for one Counsellor is typically £645, made up of monthly supervision, membership of at least one professional body (BACP or ACC), and insurance. The amounts will vary slightly from Counsellor to Counsellor and are less for a student Counsellor. Pathways does not expect its Counsellors to be out of pocket and that a ‘worker is worthy of his hire’ so any funding or client contributions are used to cover these costs first.
