Accessible to everyone: Blog 2
Connections Counselling: Our Commitment to Accessible Counselling
Hello and welcome to Connections Counselling! I am pleased to announce that we are officially open for all client and counsellor
enquiries, and sessions are now underway.
As this journey begins, I want to share each one of the core values that drives everything we do:
“Counselling should be accessible for everyone” being the first of seven blogs informing about Connections Core Values in the coming year of 2025.
A Mental Health Crisis and Barriers to Access
The UK is currently facing a mental health crisis, with many people struggling to maintain their emotional well-being. However, financial barriers prevent far too many individuals (especially those in lower-income brackets) from accessing the help they need.
Counselling is often unaffordable (even unavailable) for people in marginalized groups, who often have the greatest need. This creates a cycle where the people who need support the most are the least able to access it. These inequities deny individuals the opportunity to prioritize their mental health and thrive, perpetuating systemic inequalities.
I believe mental health care is a fundamental right. It is not a luxury or privilege reserved for those who can afford it, but a cornerstone of well-being that everyone deserves. Addressing this inequality is more than a
professional responsibility, it’s a matter of social justice.
This belief is why I’ve created a four-tiered fee structure at Connections Counselling, designed to reduce financial barriers as much as possible while ensuring counsellors are fairly paid.
Our Tiered Fee Structure
This system is designed to support clients from a variety of income levels, making counselling accessible without compromising fairness. Here’s how it works:
- Tier 1 - Free Sessions
For individuals earning less than £10,000 per year, including those on Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance.
- How it works: Up to 15 sessions are fully funded by donations and grants. This is a funded program and therefore may be subject to a waiting list.
- Tier 2 - Pay What You Can
For individuals earning £10,000–£20,000 per year.- How it works: Clients contribute between £5 and £30 per session, based on their ability to pay. Up to 15 sessions, partially funded by donations and grants. As this is a part-funded program, there may be a waiting list.
- Tier 3 - £40 per Session
For individuals earning £20,000–£30,000 per year. - Tier 4 - £50 per Session
For individuals earning over £30,000 per year.
Would you like to help? Donations to Tier 1 and 2 ensure that people in financial hardship can access therapy. Every £600 raised provides someone with up to 15 sessions, while also ensuring counsellors are paid fairly at £40 per hour minimum.
Rethinking Missed Sessions
Traditional counselling models often penalize clients for missed or late-cancelled sessions, charging fees of £50–£70 or more. While the reasoning is understandable (counsellors need to protect their time and income) this approach can create an unnecessary barrier for clients, particularly those already struggling financially. Personally, I find this approach unethical and feel there is a real need for change. 
I’ve been on the receiving end of this system. Once, I had to miss an appointment because my son was unwell and on another occasion, I had a migraine. Each time, I was charged a fee, even though my reasons were understandable and unavoidable. The reasoning for the charge being that “someone else could have had that place”. I don’t believe these charges are fair or reflective of what truly happens, as I don’t know of any counsellor who has clients waiting to fill last-minute cancellations. By that logic, a counsellor charging in this way, should do the same in return, should they do the same by a late client cancellation or even missing their own session. I have been double booked as a client and missed out on that session, not being offered the same courtesy or equivalent of a free next session when they would have charged me for not attending.
At Connections Counselling, I take a different approach. I believe it’s unethical to penalize someone who might be struggling emotionally or financially. Whilst there might be a fear of clients not committing and a substantial loss of earnings consequently, I have faith in my clients committing to the work and this not happening. However, if a client misses multiple sessions or cancels frequently, we would have a conversation about whether it’s the right time for counselling, which might result in the relationship being put on pause to a later date, or stopping altogether. This relationship requires mutual commitment, it’s like a mutualistic symbiosis. My aim is to help (by helping people help themselves) and not to impose punitive fees, which I feel contributes to the perpetuation of cycles of systemic inequalities.
More Than Just Financial Barriers
Accessibility is about more than money. Many people face additional challenges that prevent them from seeking therapy, including:
- Mobility impairments
- Social anxiety, agoraphobia, or trauma-related difficulties
- Chronic illness or sensory impairments
- Childcare responsibilities
- Transportation issues
- Cultural stigma or fear of judgment
These barriers have historically excluded too many people from receiving support. Modern counselling must adapt to meet these needs. At Connections Counselling, we offer online sessions, allowing clients to connect from the comfort of their own homes. This removes many barriers, such as travel and mobility issues. While online therapy isn’t necessarily suitable for everyone, it expands access for many. In the future, I plan to introduce walk-and-talk therapy, home visits, and hospital visits, further increasing accessibility for those who cannot visit the counselling room, or online.
A Personal Commitment to Change
My dedication to accessibility stems from a deeply personal place. In my previous career as an ethical goldsmith, I worked to bring awareness to exploitation in the artisanal gold mining industry. I’ve stood in communities that face unimaginable hardships and witnessed the power of systemic change. This experience taught me the value of challenging harmful norms and advocating for fairness, even when it ruffles feathers within the industry itself. 
Now, as a counsellor, I bring that same commitment to change. I believe that counselling is not just a profession; it’s a calling. While it’s important to earn a living, the true wealth of this work lies in the transformation it brings to people’s lives.
The Bigger Picture
At its heart, counselling is about building bridges to healing, change and growth. These bridges must be open to everyone, regardless of income, background, or circumstance. At Connections Counselling, counsellors will be committed to ensuring that these bridges are as inclusive and accessible as possible. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re looking for support, have questions about our services, want to donate to our Tier 1 and 2 program, or want to join the Connections team of counsellors, please get in touch.
Counselling should be accessible for all.
