This page is a short, honest guide to what counselling actually involves for men, how it differs from psychotherapy, what it costs, and how to get started.
Counselling vs. psychotherapy
The lines are blurry. Counselling tends to be shorter-term and focused on something specific — a bereavement, a relationship, a period of overwhelm. Psychotherapy is usually longer-term and goes deeper into patterns from earlier life. Many practitioners do both.
What a first session is like
You'll talk; the counsellor will mostly listen, ask a few questions, and try to get a sense of what's bringing you in. You don't have to have it organised in your head — that's what they're there to help with.
What it costs
Private counselling in the UK typically runs £50–£120 a session. Many counsellors offer a free or low-cost intro call, and some offer reduced rates if cost is tight.
