Our Counselling Pathway

Reaching Out

Step 1: Self-Referral (Choose Any Route)

Getting in touch can feel like a big step. You’re welcome to contact us in whatever way feels easiest for you:

• Website: Contact – A Positive Start CIC
• Email: info@apositivestart.org.uk
• Tel: 01450 367422
• WhatsApp: (+44) 07547739106

There’s no obligation and no pressure. You are welcome to self-refer at any stage when you feel ready

Step 2: Welcome Email + Book a Free Initial Consultation

•   Once you get in touch, we’ll send you a welcome email with a few options for a free 30-minute telephone conversation.
• Once you confirm a convenient date/time, we send an appointment invite.

This is not an assessment and there’s no expectation to commit. This is an informal, supportive conversation, not therapy.

It provides:

• A chance to introduce ourselves
• Space to understand what you are seeking support with
• An opportunity to check whether our service feels like a good fit and whether we’re the right service for you
• Matching with the most suitable therapist (qualified or student, where appropriate)

If it doesn’t feel right, that’s okay.

Step 3: Choosing to continue – Sessions & Fees agreed
if you decide you’d like to go ahead:

• A mutually convenient appointment time
• The session type (individual or couples counselling)
• The appropriate fee band, guided by your individual circumstances.

Fees are not means tested and are agreed through open, respectful conversation.

Session costs 

Individual counselling

• £55.00 – Standard rate
• £30.00 – Reduced rate
• £20.00 – Concessionary rate
• £10.00 – Supported access (Low Income)

Couples counselling

• £75.00 – Standard rate
• £60.00 – Reduced rate
• £45.00 – Concessionary rate
• £30.00 – Supported access rate (Low Income)

How Fees Are Agreed

Fees are guided by what feels manageable for each client and may take into account:

• Employment status (full-time/part-time/unemployed
• Income pressures or changes
• Student or pensioner status
• Access needs and current circumstances

You are welcome to discuss fees at any time, and arrangements can be reviewed if your circumstances change.

Step 4: Free Student Counselling (limited spaces)

In some cases, where appropriate, we can offer free individual counselling with a supervised student counsellor:

• Typically 12 sessions to begin with, then reviewed
• Suitability is assessed based on the clients needs and presentation
• Student counsellors receive regular clinical supervision
• donations are optional and never expected

Step 5: Online Paperwork (Based on Therapy Type)

Before you first session, you’ll be asked to complete:

1. a Client Details Form
2. One Contract, depending on allocation (Counselling Contract or Student Counselling Contract

Submission of these forms provides digital consent and electronic agreement.

Step 6: Welcome Letter & Agreement Summary (Secure Delivery)

Once you online forms are received A Welcome Letter & Agreement Summary is prepared, confirming:

• Receipt of completed paperwork
• Key agreements (confidentiality, safeguarding, cancellations, endings)
• Agreed session fee
• Allocated counsellor (qualified or supervised student)
• Date, time and location of first appointment
• Acknowledgement of your digital signature.

Cancellations (clear & fair)

We ask for minimum 24 hours‘ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange.

If less notice is given, or an appointment is missed without good reason, a charge applies:

• your usual session fee
• minimum £20.00

This applies to all sessions, including student counselling, as the space cannot usually be offered to someone else.

Technical support
If you have any difficulties with:

• forms
• appointment links
• payments
• online sessions

You can contact us using the same details:

• info@apositivestart.org.uk
• 01450 367422 (Leave a message)

We’re happy to help – no question is a silly one.