Seeking counselling from a professional is a significant and often brave step. For many people in the UK, one of the first questions that arises is: “Where should I go for support?” And with options ranging from NHS services to charities, community projects, workplace schemes and private practitioners, the choice can feel overwhelming.

In this post I explore the unique advantages of working with a counsellor in private practice, while also acknowledging the strengths of other routes. My aim is not to “sell” private counselling, I've worked in excellent community and charity settings, but to help you make an informed choice that feels right for you, your wellbeing, and your circumstances. If you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch.

Understanding Your Options

In the UK, emotional and mental health support can come from a number of places:

NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT), often focused on CBT and short-term interventions
GP-referred services, which may include counselling, psychology, or group programmes
Charities and voluntary organisations, some offering low-cost or issue-specific support
Workplace (EAP) or university counselling
Private practice counselling and psychotherapy

Each of these plays an important role. It’s not about one being “better” than another — it’s about what suits your needs at a particular moment in your life.

1. Timely Access to Support

One of the main reasons people choose private counselling is speed of access.

NHS therapy can be enormously valuable, but demand is high and waiting lists are often long. When you’re struggling, waiting months to speak to someone can feel daunting. Private counselling allows you to begin sooner — sometimes within days — offering a sense of relief and momentum at a time when feeling supported matters most.

Shorter waiting times also mean you can seek help when issues first arise, rather than feeling you must wait until things reach crisis point.

2. Choice and a Good “Fit” With Your Counsellor

Research consistently shows that the most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between you and your counsellor. Feeling safe, understood, and accepted is essential.

In private practice, you have the freedom to choose:

* Someone whose personality, warmth, and way of working you connect with
* A counsellor experienced in the issues you want to explore
* The therapeutic approach you feel drawn to, whether that’s person-centred, psychodynamic, integrative, humanistic, or another modality
* A practitioner whose ethos aligns with your values

This sense of choice can be empowering. You’re not placed on a waiting list and allocated to the next available practitioner — you’re an active participant in selecting the person who feels right for you.

Most private counsellors also offer an initial consultation, giving you the chance to get a feel for the relationship before deciding whether to continue.

3. Flexibility and Convenience

Life is busy, and therapy needs to fit around work, family, and other responsibilities. Private practice allows you to:

* Choose a time that works for your schedule
* Find evening or weekend sessions if needed
* Set a pace that suits you — weekly, fortnightly, or another rhythm
* Access remote sessions if you prefer or need them

This flexibility can reduce stress and make therapy feel truly manageable.

4. Freedom to Explore at Your Own Pace

Many NHS therapy pathways are designed to be short-term, structured, and goal-focused — which can be incredibly helpful for some people. But not everyone benefits from a fixed number of sessions or a standardised approach.

Private counselling offers something different:
space to explore, reflect, and grow without pressure or time limits.

You can:

* Work through deeper patterns and emotional experiences
* Return to earlier life events or themes that need attention
* Take breaks when needed and return later
* Carry on for as long as it feels useful

This continuity supports long-term wellbeing and personal development, rather than focusing only on immediate symptom reduction.

5. Consistency of Care

One of the challenges with larger services is that staff can change or rotate, meaning clients may work with several professionals over the course of their treatment.

In private practice, you are usually working with the same counsellor throughout, which supports trust, stability, and a deeper therapeutic relationship. This sense of safety and continuity is especially important when exploring vulnerable or painful experiences.

6. Privacy and Confidentiality

Although all regulated counselling services maintain confidentiality, some people simply feel more comfortable knowing their sessions are separate from their employer, GP record, or educational setting.

Private counselling offers:

* Complete privacy from institutions
* A safe, neutral space away from your everyday environments
* The freedom to talk openly about issues without concern about how they might be interpreted in a medical or organisational context

For some, this helps therapy feel like a gentle, protected corner of their life.

7. A Space Tailored to You

Private counsellors often have more room to tailor therapy to your unique needs because they are not limited by organisational protocols or timeframes.

This might look like:

* Integrating different therapeutic approaches
* Adapting session structure or frequency
* Exploring themes at a depth that would not be possible elsewhere
* Supporting you through evolving life events over time

The relationship becomes a collaborative, responsive process rather than a preset programme.

8. Honest Acknowledgement: Cost Is a Real Consideration

It’s important to name the reality that private counselling involves a financial commitment, and this isn’t accessible for everyone.

Some private practitioners offer reduced-fee spaces or sliding scales. Others may offer fortnightly sessions to support affordability. But cost is an undeniable factor and worth considering carefully.

When people choose private counselling despite the expense, they often describe it as an investment in themselves — in their wellbeing, their relationships, and their long-term emotional health.

Only you can decide whether that speaks to your situation.

How Do You Decide What’s Right for You?

Here are a few gentle questions that might help:

* How quickly do I feel I need support?
* How important is choice in my therapist?
* Do I want short-term, structured support — or space for longer-term exploration?
* What feels most comfortable for my personality and needs?
* What do I hope to get out of therapy?

There is no “correct” answer. Different approaches suit different people at different points in their lives.

If You’re Considering Private Counselling

If you’re curious about how private counselling might feel, many practitioners — including myself — offer an initial session or conversation to help you get a sense of what working together would be like.

There’s no obligation to continue. The purpose is simply to help you make an informed, comfortable choice.

Your mental and emotional wellbeing deserve attention, understanding, and care. Whichever route you choose, contacting a professional for help or support is a meaningful and hopeful step.