Why My Therapy Fee Is £85 per Session

A personal (and honest) look at the cost of counselling

One of the most common questions I get—either directly or quietly behind the scenes—is this:

“Why does therapy cost so much?”

More specifically:

“Why do you charge £85 per session?”

I get it. Talking about money is hard. Especially if you’re navigating anxiety, people-pleasing tendencies, or a fear of being a burden (sound familiar?). It might feel awkward or even a bit selfish to ask. But I actually welcome this question—because I think it’s a really important one.

So here it is: an open, honest explanation of how I arrived at my fee, and what you're really paying for when you invest in therapy.

First, a little context...

I’m a person-centred therapist working primarily with socially anxious adults. Many of my clients have spent years staying unnoticed, people-pleasing, and feeling like they have to earn rest, space, or care. And when they finally decide to seek therapy, the idea of spending money on themselves can feel... uncomfortable. Or even impossible.

So before we get into the "why" of my fee, I want to say this:

Any discomfort you may have around spending money on your own wellbeing is valid—and it's something we can explore together.

Now let’s dig into what’s behind that £85.

What you're actually paying for

Yes, you’re paying for a therapy session. But the session is only the tip of the iceberg. Here’s a glimpse of what goes into your therapy space:

1. Experience and Training

I’ve spent years studying, training, and continuing to learn—because therapy is a living, evolving practice. Your session rate includes:

• My professional qualifications and accreditation

• Ongoing CPD (continuing professional development)

• Supervision costs to ensure ethical, high-quality care

• Specialist training for working online.

  
  

I specialise in working with socially anxious adults, and that means investing in training that goes deeper than general counselling. I do this to offer therapy that truly meets you where you are.

2. Preparation and Aftercare

Your session doesn’t start and end with a slot in my calendar. Behind the scenes, I’m:

• Reviewing our previous sessions

• Reflecting on themes that are emerging

• Preparing for the emotional space we’ll step into

• Writing brief notes and safeguarding records after we finish

  
  

You may never see that work, but it’s part of the process—and it’s done with care and intention.

3. Business Costs

As a self-employed therapist, I cover all the things that would usually be handled by an employer in a larger setting. That includes:

• Insurance, memberships, and professional fees

• Secure client management software (for your privacy)

• Secure online therapy platforms to ensure safe and confidential online sessions

• Admin time, marketing, and running a small business solo

When you pay £85, you’re helping me keep my practice sustainable—and allowing me to keep doing this work long-term, without burning out.

Why I don’t offer sliding scale sessions (and what I do instead)

I know £85 isn’t affordable for everyone. That’s why I’m upfront about my fees from the beginning—because transparency matters, and you deserve to know what’s realistic.

I don’t currently offer sliding scale sessions, and that decision wasn’t easy. In the past, I tried to stretch my fees lower to accommodate everyone—and I quickly hit the edge of my emotional and financial capacity.

Instead, I choose to:

• Keep my caseload intentionally small, so I can show up fully for every client. This helps me provide consistent, high-quality care while maintaining the emotional energy needed to support clients with the patience, presence, and depth they deserve.

• Offer a monthly, supportive email to my mailing list for free, where I share helpful insights and reflections for anyone looking for support in between therapy sessions.

• Created a self-paced course with another psychotherapist, Carley Symes, priced at a one-off £65. This course is designed for individuals who aren’t quite ready for therapy but want to start working on their personal growth and mental health on their own terms.

  
  

Therapy is an investment—but not in a cliché way

You’ve probably heard people say (me included!) “therapy is an investment in yourself,” and while that’s true, I know it can also feel vague and a bit Instagram-quote-y.

So let me reframe it.

Therapy is an investment in your peace.

In your nervous system.

In the part of you that’s been working overtime just to feel okay in the world.

When you pay for therapy, you’re not just paying for time—you’re paying for a space that’s just for you. A space where you can let your guard down. Where you don’t have to pretend, apologise, or explain yourself. Where your struggles are held with empathy, not judgment.

And for many of the socially anxious adults I work with, that kind of space has never existed before.

Why email therapy is not cheaper than real-time video therapy

I completely understand why many people expect email therapy to be cheaper -“It’s just an email!”. We often see emails as quick exchanges, perhaps with little thought and something that can be done ‘on-the-go’. However, email therapy is very different. I dedicate at least 50 minutes (so the same amount of time as a video call) to each therapeutic email. The process I use to respond is spread over two days and I carve out this space in my calendar to sit, uninterrupted to give you my full attention.

I try to be very boundaried with the time I spend on each email, but sometimes it’s more difficult to find the words or things require a bit more thought so email therapy can take longer than video call therapy and I need to respect and value my time.

Crucially, a lesser fee might suggest you are getting a ‘less effective’ type of therapy which isn’t the case. Email therapy has a lot to offer, equal to video therapy, and so my pricing reflects this equality.

A final word from me

If you’re thinking about therapy and trying to figure out whether you can “justify” the cost—please know this: you don’t need to prove that your pain is “bad enough” or that you’re “worth the money.”

You are allowed to invest in support.

You are allowed to take up space.

And you are allowed to choose a therapist who sees your value—even if you’re still learning to see it yourself.

If you have any questions about my fee, therapy, or what working together could look like, I’d love to hear from you—no pressure, no commitment.

Please email me at laura@laurawoodtherapy.co.uk or complete the contact form on the home page.