Low-Cost Counselling with a Supervised Trainee

A trainee is someone part-way through a counselling or psychotherapy training course. Most courses ask trainees to see real clients as part of their training, usually for a set number of supervised hours. Trainees may be training as counsellors, psychotherapists, CBT therapists, play therapists or in other talking therapies.

Trainees are not yet qualified and not yet on a professional register. They have done some of their training, but not all of it, and they should never call themselves registered, accredited or qualified until they are.

A trainee meets a qualified, registered practitioner, their clinical supervisor, regularly to talk through their client work. The supervisor helps them work safely and within their course rules. They talk about the work without sharing who you are. Supervision is a normal part of training in every talking-therapy profession, and qualified practitioners have supervision too.

Supervision is a safeguard, but it is not the same as seeing the supervisor. Your sessions are with the trainee.

• Lower cost. Trainees often charge less, and some training clinics and low-cost services offer free sessions or ask for a donation.
• Regular supervision. A qualified practitioner regularly talks through the trainee’s work with them.
• Up-to-date training. Trainees are learning current approaches, and their client work is reviewed as part of their course.
• Sometimes shorter waits. Some trainees have spaces when other services have waiting lists. This varies a lot by area.

• Less experience. A trainee has seen fewer clients than a qualified practitioner.
• Not for every need. Courses often limit trainees to adults with everyday difficulties. Many cannot work with crisis, complex or severe mental health needs, or with children and young people.
• Sessions may be limited or end. A placement may offer a set number of sessions, and work may have to end or change when the trainee’s course or placement ends. Ask about this at the start.
• Recording for training. Some courses ask trainees to record sessions for assessment. This should only happen if you agree in writing, and you can say no.
• Less choice. Low-cost services may match you with whoever has a space, rather than letting you choose.

• What course are you on, with which training provider, and is it accredited? You can look the course up on that body’s website.
• Who is your clinical supervisor, and how often do you see them?
• What does each session cost, how long is it, and how many sessions can you offer?
• What happens when your placement or course ends, or if you are unwell or away?
• Do you record sessions, and if so, who sees the recording and when is it deleted?
• Do you have indemnity insurance, or cover through your course or placement?

Our printable questions to ask before you book has more.

• Training clinics. Many colleges, universities and therapy training institutes run low-cost clinics where supervised trainees see clients. Search for counselling training providers near you and ask whether they have a client service.
• Low-cost counselling services and charities. Some community counselling services and charities use supervised trainees alongside qualified staff. Try Hub of Hope or your local Mind.
• Directories that mark trainees clearly. On Therapist Circle, search Find with trainee therapists included. Trainees there are always marked Trainee. We started listing trainees on 2 November 2026, so there may be few or none near you yet.

See also free and low-cost therapy in the UK and how much therapy costs in the UK.

• Every trainee profile is marked Trainee and says “Trainee therapist in training, working under clinical supervision. Not yet on a professional register.”
• Trainees appear on Find only if you tick Include trainee therapists (often lower cost), and they are listed after registered practitioners.
• Before a trainee appears, we check they are enrolled on the course they name, and that their named clinical supervisor is on a professional register and confirms by email that they supervise them.
• We do not check clinical skill or quality, and a listing is not a recommendation. Read more about trainee therapists.

Are trainee counsellors qualified?

No. A trainee counsellor or psychotherapist is still training. They are not yet qualified and not yet on a professional register, and they should never describe themselves as registered, accredited or qualified until they are. They see clients under regular clinical supervision as part of their course.

Is it safe to see a trainee counsellor?

Many people are helped by trainees, especially for everyday worries, low mood, stress and relationship difficulties. A trainee should work only within what their course allows, under a qualified supervisor. If you are in crisis, have thoughts of ending your life, or have complex or severe difficulties, speak to your GP or NHS 111 first, or choose a qualified practitioner on a professional register.

How much does counselling with a trainee cost?

Fees vary. Trainees often charge less than qualified practitioners, and some training clinics and low-cost services offer free sessions or ask for a donation. Always ask the fee, the session length and how many sessions are on offer before you start.

How do I find a low-cost trainee counsellor?

Ask training clinics at colleges, universities and training institutes, look for low-cost counselling services and charities near you (for example through Hub of Hope or your local Mind), or search a directory that shows trainees clearly. On Therapist Circle, tick “Include trainee therapists” on Find. Trainees there are always marked Trainee.