Start private counselling in a rented room

Individuals paying for themselves, plus some clients referred or paid for by employers or insurers.

A fee per session, often with weekly clients who stay for several months. Some practitioners offer a lower-cost slot or two for clients on low incomes.

• Active listening and empathy
• Keeping firm professional boundaries
• Careful note-keeping and confidentiality
• Willingness to keep learning and use supervision

• Counselling titles are not legally protected in the UK, but clients and insurers expect a recognised qualification and professional body membership, so check what yours requires
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, and regular clinical supervision under most ethical frameworks
• Data protection: check whether you need to pay the ICO data protection fee and how to store client notes securely
• Client numbers can be slow to build and cancellations happen, so plan your finances for a gradual start
• The work is emotionally demanding, so plan breaks and your own support

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on room rental, insurance, supervision and marketing. These are estimates, so check what your professional body and insurer require.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on your caseload, session fees and hours. Client numbers can be slow to build and cancellations happen, so plan your finances for a gradual start. Treat this as an estimate.

Counselling titles are not legally protected in the UK, but clients and insurers expect a recognised qualification and professional body membership, so check what yours requires. Also check professional indemnity and public liability insurance, supervision, and the ICO data protection fee.