BetterHelp Vs. The UK Counselling Network: Affordable Counselling & Therapy Options

Medically reviewed by Andrea Brant, LMHC
Updated February 15th, 2025 by BetterHelp Editorial Team

In recent years, counselling and therapy have become increasingly popular. Today, millions of people attend therapy, and many individuals find sessions an important part of maintaining good mental health. However, the method for connecting with a therapist—including what services are available, how much they cost, and other factors—can vary significantly from one region or country to another. 

Below, explore two popular therapy services that allow individuals in the UK, in particular, to receive mental health care: BetterHelp and the UK Counselling Network. Read about key features and other helpful information to compare the two and help you decide which might be right for you.

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What is therapy? Defining counselling and psychotherapy

According to the National Health Service (NHS), talking therapies—also called psychotherapy or talk therapy—are psychological treatments for mental and emotional challenges. Talk therapy is often the first-line treatment for diagnosable mental illnesses like anxiety and depression, but you don't need to have a clinical mental health condition to benefit from it. A person might also meet with a therapist for emotional support to navigate work stress, life transitions, relationship conflict, and other life challenges.

There are hundreds of different types of therapy that a provider might practice. One of the most common is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). With this approach, the therapist teaches the client to recognize and shift distorted thought patterns that may be causing or contributing to distress or other symptoms. 

When exploring options for mental health care, you might come across the term “counselling” as well. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, counselling is typically shorter term and focused on one particular challenge, while therapy is usually longer term and may involve a deeper dive into an individual's past and personality to address symptoms or challenges more thoroughly. The provider you meet with may be able to help you decide which approach could be best for your situation.

Who can benefit from therapy?

Anyone may have the potential to benefit from talk therapy or counselling. Treatment is available for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, as well as people of all genders and backgrounds. In addition, there are many different reasons a person might decide to seek therapy. For example, an individual may reach out for help navigating challenging situations, including but not limited to the following:

  • Major life transitions like moving or having a child
  • Challenges or conflict in your romantic relationship(s) or family relationships
  • High levels of stress in your personal or professional life
  • Grief from the loss of a loved one
  • Emotional challenges related to chronic illness, pain, or disability
  • The effects of past trauma
  • Symptoms of a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or others

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Counselling and psychotherapy for people in the UK

The options available for seeking therapy depend on where a person is located. For individuals who live in the UK, free talk therapy is available through the National Health Service (NHS). However, some people decide to seek treatment elsewhere instead. People in the UK who receive therapy outside the NHS typically need to pay for it. Non-NHS providers may accept insurance or cash out of pocket. However, cost can be a barrier to care for some individuals, which is why affordable therapy is such a popular topic. 

Individuals in the UK who would like to see a non-NHS therapist or counsellor for an affordable price have some options. First, some workplaces may provide free care for employees, and some universities may do the same for students. Another option is to look into a mental health charity that provides free or low-cost counselling to certain individuals or under certain circumstances. Finally, online therapy platforms can be another way to find a therapist on a budget. 

Seeking therapy in the UK: BetterHelp vs. the UK Counselling Network

There are two generally popular options for UK residents seeking mental health care outside of the NHS: BetterHelp and the UK Counselling Network. BetterHelp is an international online therapy service. The platform allows clients in places like the US and the UK to get matched with and meet a professional therapist remotely from anywhere they have an internet connection. The UK Counselling Network is an award-winning social enterprise and community interest company (CIC) whose mission is to connect individuals in the UK with in-person or virtual mental health services for an affordable price. 

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Which platform offers more affordable counselling? Comparing costs 

BetterHelp and the UK Counselling Network aim to provide affordable therapy, but their cost structures and features differ. Learning more about these may help you decide which is right for you. 

BetterHelp offers subscriptions as low as £65 (weekly), billed every four weeks. For this price, you can get matched with a professional therapist after filling out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences. Many people can be matched with a provider in as little as 48 hours, as BetterHelp partners with over 5,000 providers in the UK. You can then meet with your therapist virtually via phone, video call, or messaging for weekly sessions. 

According to the UK Counselling Network website, individuals can receive online or in-person mental health therapy with trainee therapists for as little as £28 per session. This constitutes their “low-cost counselling” option. Clients can also seek treatment with a fully qualified therapist for £28 to £155 per session. They also offer several other types of counselling services, including group therapy sessions (£30 per session) and anger management counselling (£75 for an additional intake session), among others. 

Comparing other key features

Cost isn't the only factor to consider when seeking a mental health care provider. Exploring additional features that these two services offer can also be helpful in making a decision.

BetterHelp

BetterHelp offers flexible scheduling, a key benefit that busy professionals, parents, and others often appreciate. The platform also allows you to switch therapists anytime, for any reason, at no extra cost until you find the right fit. Plus, in addition to weekly sessions, your BetterHelp subscription cost includes the ability to message your therapist any time between sessions, and they’ll respond as soon as they can. Many people find this feature helpful when they experience symptoms or have thoughts to share between sessions. 

Subscriptions also include a suite of additional tools to help you make the most of your time in therapy, such as:

  • Digital therapy worksheets
  • Guided journaling prompts
  • Interactive group sessions 

The UK Counselling Network

The UK Counselling Network offers both in-person and virtual therapy sessions. While virtual therapy has gained popularity in recent years, some people still prefer or require in-person care. The UK Counselling Network may be a preferable option for such individuals. 

Another benefit of this service is that, unlike some similar UK-based organizations, it does not cap the number of sessions a person can receive—even under the “low-cost counselling” option. For this reason, people can receive this lower-cost care for as long as they need. Finally, the UK Counselling Center offers specific types of services in addition to general talk therapy appointments, such as couples therapy, anger management therapy, therapy for bereaved parents, and menopause therapy.

Starting the journey toward improved mental health: Booking your first session

Once you've reviewed the pros and cons of the low-cost counselling services available, you may be ready to decide and book your first appointment. If the UK Counselling Network seems like the best fit, you can submit a form on their website to get started. Someone will contact you within approximately one business day to understand your needs and schedule your first session.

If BetterHelp seems to fit your needs, you can start by filling out a questionnaire about your preferences for therapy and a therapist. The site asks questions about your preferred characteristics of a potential therapist and the challenges you're seeking help with. From there, many people can be matched with a professional therapist in as little as 48 hours. 

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What the research says about online affordable counselling and therapy for mental health

Both BetterHelp and the UK Counselling Network offer virtual therapy sessions. This type of therapy offers convenience by allowing individuals to receive care from anywhere with an internet connection. Additionally, online therapy often provides flexible scheduling, with providers offering a range of hours to accommodate different needs.

A growing body of research indicates the potential effectiveness of virtual talk therapy. For example, a 2021 meta-analysis suggests that “therapy is no less efficacious when delivered via videoconferencing than in-person” and cites online therapy's convenience and popularity. Whether you choose virtual sessions through BetterHelp, virtual sessions through the UK Counselling Network, or in-person sessions through the UK Counselling Network or another reputable service, you may be confident in the effectiveness of the care you will receive. 

Takeaway

Individuals in the UK who are seeking counselling or talk therapy for mental health support have options. While talk therapy is generally free through the NHS, some people may seek a non-NHS provider. BetterHelp and the UK Counselling Network are two types of alternative ethical practice providers to consider. 

BetterHelp is an international online counselling and therapy service that offers affordable therapy subscriptions as low as £65 (weekly), billed every four weeks. The UK Counselling Network is a community-interest company that offers in-person and online therapy for £28 to £155 per session. To get started, you can submit a form on either service’s website.

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