Private counsellor in a rented therapy room

Local adults and families paying privately, plus some referrals from GPs, schools, employers and other therapists.

A fee per session, with room hire as your main running cost. You can later add low-cost groups, workshops or supervision of newer counsellors if qualified.

• A recognised counselling or psychotherapy qualification
• Empathy and good listening
• Keeping clear professional boundaries
• Building local referral relationships

• Counselling is not a protected title in the UK, but clients and insurers expect proper training and professional body membership. Check what applies to you
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Room hire costs when you have few clients, so start with flexible or pay-as-you-go rooms
• ICO registration and secure storage of client records
• Safety and privacy arrangements for in-person sessions, including lone working
• A clear plan for clients in crisis and for referring on when needed

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on insurance, professional memberships, room hire and setting up your records. These are estimates, so consider flexible or pay-as-you-go rooms while you have few clients.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your client numbers and session fees. This is an estimate, and room hire costs still apply in weeks when you have few clients.

Check what training and professional body membership clients and insurers expect, plus professional indemnity and public liability insurance. Also check ICO registration, secure storage of records, lone working and privacy arrangements, and a clear plan for clients in crisis.