Subsidised Counselling
Affordable counselling without a long wait
Part of our mission to make counselling accessible for everyone
Delivered by independent affiliated counsellors, with space donated by Borders Therapy Hub.
How the Subsidised Counselling Scheme works
Independent affiliated counsellors
All counsellors offering subsidised sessions are independent professionals - qualified, insured, and registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and use the letters MBACP after their name. They are not employees of Borders Therapy Hub and hold full clinical responsibility for their own work, operating under their own ethical code and supervision.
Affordable, consistent pricing
Sessions are offered at a fixed rate of £25 for 50 minutes.
This rate helps widen access for clients while recognising the professional time and commitment of the counsellors who choose to offer these lower-cost spaces as part of their practice.
Room space provided
Borders Therapy Hub donates the counselling rooms used for these sessions, allowing counsellors to offer reduced-fee work in a professional setting. BTH supports access, not clinical oversight. We provide the room space; all scheduling, session arrangements and payments are managed directly with your counsellor.
Speed of access
Because the scheme runs through a network of affiliated counsellors with regular room access, most people are offered an appointment within a few weeks, compared with much longer waits for free community services.
Simple enquiry
There’s no assessment or referral stage.
When you complete the short online enquiry form, you can indicate whether the sessions are for a child, teen, adult, or parent and if you prefer a male or female counsellor.
You’ll then be matched with the next available affiliated counsellor who fits those preferences.
Enquire about Subsidised Counselling
Subsidised counselling is open to children, young people and adults. Use this form to tell us who the sessions are for, and we’ll connect you with an appropriate independent counsellor, usually within a few weeks.
If subsidised counselling isn’t the right fit
Everyone’s circumstances are different.
If you’d like to work with a particular therapist, or are seeking a specialist approach - for example in neurodivergence, parenting in complex situations, trauma, CBT, psychodynamic work, EMDR, or support for conditions such as PTSD or EUPD - our Private Therapy options offer more choice and flexibility to find the right match.
If you’re under 25 and would find it difficult to pay for counselling, our Free Support page lists services designed for young people who need access without cost.
Other sources of help
Borders Therapy Hub is not a full directory of every counselling or wellbeing service in the Scottish Borders.
You can also find support through NHS Borders, your GP, or national helplines such as:
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Childline – 0800 1111
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Samaritans – 116 123
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Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87
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SHOUT: Text 85258 – free, confidential text support
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.