Services
Qualified counselling, wherever you are in the UK
Sometimes the right support isn’t easy to reach. Online counselling brings qualified, experienced therapists to you — at a time that works, in a space that feels safe.
NCPS Organisational Member
Professionally registered therapists
Free 15-minute consultation
★ ★ ★ ★ ★“Working with someone online turned out to be easier than I expected. From the comfort of home, I could actually focus on the conversation rather than getting there.”
Online counselling client
5,000+
People supported
90+
Qualified therapists
UK-Wide
Online coverage
From £65
per session
What it involves
What is online counselling, and how does it work?
If you have been thinking about counselling but haven’t quite taken the step — maybe because of where you live, how busy life is, or because the idea of sitting in a waiting room feels like one barrier too many — online counselling is worth knowing about.
It is exactly what it sounds like: counselling that takes place via video call or telephone rather than face-to-face. Your therapist is a qualified, registered professional. The sessions run to the same length and follow the same ethical standards as in-person work. What changes is simply the format — you join from wherever you are, on a device you already have.
Most sessions take place via Zoom, which runs in any web browser and doesn’t require any software to download. Your therapist will send you a secure link before each session. If you would prefer telephone, that is available too.
What you will need
- A device with a camera and microphone (laptop, tablet or smartphone)
- A reliable internet connection
- A reasonably private space where you feel comfortable talking
- Zoom or a phone — nothing else to download or set up
Sessions are the same length as in-person appointments — typically 50 minutes — and happen at a regular, agreed time each week or fortnight, depending on what works for you.
Does it work?
Is online counselling as effective as seeing someone in person?
This is one of the most common questions people ask — and it is a fair one. The short answer, backed by a substantial body of research, is that online counselling can be as effective as in-person therapy for a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, stress, grief and relationship difficulties.
What matters most in counselling is the relationship between you and your therapist — the sense of being genuinely heard, understood, and not judged. That quality of connection can develop just as strongly via video as it can in a room together. Many people find, in fact, that the comfort of their own space makes it easier to open up, particularly in the early sessions.
Online counselling is not a compromise. It is a different format — one that research consistently suggests works, and one that millions of people across the UK now prefer.
There are some situations where face-to-face therapy may be more appropriate — for example, if you are experiencing a particularly acute crisis, or if you feel strongly that the physical presence of another person is important to you. If you are unsure, your free 15-minute consultation is a good place to explore this honestly.
How it can help
What online counselling can offer
A confidential space that fits your life
For many people, one of the biggest barriers to starting counselling is practical. Living in a rural area, working irregular hours, caring for children or family members, managing a health condition — online counselling removes a number of the logistical obstacles that might otherwise stand in the way of getting support.
Sessions can take place early in the morning, in a lunch break, in the evening, or at weekends where availability allows. You do not need to travel, take extra time off work, or wait for a local therapist to become available.
A note on confidentiality: Sessions are confidential. There are limited circumstances in which this may need to change — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, or where we have a legal obligation to disclose. Your therapist will explain these limits clearly before you begin your work together.
Access to 90+ therapists across England
Because you are not limited to therapists within travelling distance, you have access to the full breadth of our team of 90+ qualified, registered counsellors. This means we can match you with someone whose experience, approach and availability genuinely fit what you are looking for — rather than whoever happens to have a nearby appointment slot.
BACP GP 20: All Hope Therapy therapists working online are registered professionals who practise under the same ethical frameworks as in in-person settings. Online delivery does not change our obligations to you.
Support for a wide range of concerns
Online counselling can offer a space to explore anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, relationship difficulties, self-esteem, trauma, ADHD, identity, and many other areas. Different therapeutic approaches are available — including counselling, CBT, mindfulness-based work, EMDR and ACT — and your therapist will work with you to find what feels most helpful for your specific situation.
These are possibilities, not promises. What counselling can offer is a consistent, confidential, professional relationship in which you have space to think, feel, and explore — without needing to manage anyone else’s reaction. Results vary between individuals, and counselling is always a collaborative process.
Therapeutic Approaches
How we work with you online
Our therapists offer a range of evidence-based approaches, all available via online sessions. Your therapist will discuss which might be most helpful for your situation during your initial consultation.
Why Hope Therapy Online
What makes our online counselling different
We are not the only service offering online therapy. Here is what sets us apart.
90+ therapists — real matching, not an algorithm
We match you personally, based on a real conversation. With over 90 qualified therapists offering online sessions, we have the range to find someone who genuinely fits what you are looking for — in terms of approach, experience, and availability.
Genuinely UK-wide — not just London
Most private therapy services are concentrated in London. Our online service is available across the whole of England and the wider UK. If you have struggled to find quality counselling locally, this is what online access genuinely means.
From £65 — significantly more affordable
Online counselling with Hope Therapy starts from £65 per session. Comparable services in London typically charge £130–160. Quality online counselling does not have to mean a London price tag.
Real-person phone enquiries
If you want to speak to someone before booking online, you can call us during phone enquiry hours, Monday to Sunday. A real person will answer. That level of availability is genuinely rare among private counselling services.
Inclusive and affirming
Our team includes therapists experienced in LGBTQIA+ affirmative practice, neurodiversity-informed work, and a range of cultural backgrounds. Online access means you can find the right match more easily — not just the nearest one.
NCPS Organisational Member
Our practice holds Organisational Membership with the NCPS. Our therapists are qualified, registered professionals who practise under recognised UK ethical frameworks — whether they are working in person or online.
What Our Clients Say
Real experiences
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I was sceptical about whether online sessions would feel as real as sitting in a room with someone. They did. My therapist was warm and present from the very first call, and I found it much easier to fit sessions around my work.
Client who came to us for anxiety support
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Living in a rural area, I had struggled for years to find a counsellor I connected with nearby. Being matched through Hope Therapy meant I had a real choice — and it made all the difference.
Client who came to us for depression support
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The online format meant I could keep sessions going even when work took me to different cities. My counsellor was consistent, and I always felt like I could pick up exactly where we had left off.
Client who came to us for stress and burnout support
Client experiences are unique. Results vary between individuals.
Getting started
What happens when you reach out
Starting feels like the hardest part. Here is what actually happens when you get in touch — no surprises, no pressure.
1
Book your free 15-minute consultation
It is a relaxed conversation — not a commitment. You will speak with a member of our team, tell us a little about what is going on, and ask any questions you have about online counselling. It’s free and there is no obligation to book further sessions.
2
We match you with a therapist
Based on what you share in the consultation — the kind of support you are looking for, your availability, any preferences about approach or therapist background — we carefully match you with the most suitable person from our team of 90+.
3
You begin your sessions online
Your therapist sends you a secure Zoom link before your first session. You join from home, or wherever you feel comfortable. Sessions are typically weekly and 50 minutes in length — though the rhythm and pace are discussed with you.
Most clients hear back from us the same working day, and typically begin sessions within a week of the free consultation — depending on your preferences and therapist availability.
Standards you can trust
How we match you with the right therapist experienced in online counselling
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and we take time to get the match right.
A careful match, not a long list
Therapist availability changes from week to week, so rather than asking you to choose from a directory, we take time during your free 15-minute consultation to understand what you are looking for — and then match you with a therapist suited to your needs.
During the consultation, we will ask about:
- What you would like the work to focus on, and any specific concerns you would like support with
- Whether you would prefer face-to-face counselling, online sessions, or a combination of the two
- Any preferences around therapy approach (counselling, CBT, EMDR, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, ACT, compassion focused therapy and others)
- Day and time availability that works around your life
- Any specialisms that matter to you — for example LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, neurodiversity-affirming support, or particular life experiences
- Practical preferences — for example therapist gender, age range, or shared lived experience where that matters to you
All therapists we work with are qualified and registered with appropriate UK professional bodies, and we will confirm the most suitable options with you before any sessions begin.
Professional standards across our team
Hope Therapy & Counselling Services has been operating since 2014, and we hold Organisational Membership with the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). We work in line with the NCPS Code of Ethics and BACP Good Practice, and our wider clinical standards include:
- Qualified, professionally registered therapists across the team — registrations vary per therapist and are confirmed before matching
- Ongoing clinical supervision in line with professional body requirements
- Continuing professional development to maintain and develop practice
- Clear confidentiality standards, with limits explained before sessions begin
- Client-centred, non-judgemental and inclusive practice across all areas of identity and experience
- Founder-led clinical oversight from Ian Stockbridge — MBACP (Senior Accredited) – who continues to lead the practice and oversee its standards
Whether you choose face-to-face counselling near you or online therapy from anywhere in the UK, you can expect to be matched with a therapist who is appropriately qualified and suited to the support you are looking for.
Transparent Pricing
Session fees for online counselling
No hidden costs. Your fee is confirmed during your free consultation.
Online Counselling
From £65
per 50-minute session
- Individual sessions, UK-wide
- Via Zoom or telephone
- Flexible scheduling, Mon–Fri
- Limited evening and weekend availability
Online CBT
From £85
per 50-minute session
- Structured, evidence-based approach
- BACP and NCPS registered therapists
- Particularly suited to anxiety and low mood
- Available online UK-wide
Online Mindfulness / MBCT
From £65
per 50-minute session
- One-to-one mindfulness-based work
- MBCT where recommended by therapist
- Available online UK-wide
- Flexible scheduling
Online EMDR
From £95
per session
- Trauma and distress processing
- Trained EMDR practitioners
- Fully available online
- Initial assessment included
Full details on our fees page. Reduced rate options may be available — just ask during your free consultation.
A printable overview of our online counselling service — useful to keep or share.
Common Questions
Questions you might have about counselling
Is online counselling as effective as face-to-face therapy?
Research consistently shows that online counselling can be as effective as in-person therapy for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, grief and relationship difficulties. Many people find the flexibility and comfort of working from home genuinely helpful. The most important factor is the quality of the therapeutic relationship — and that can develop just as strongly online. Results vary between individuals, and no approach works the same way for everyone.
How do online sessions actually work?
Sessions are typically held via Zoom, though telephone sessions are available if you prefer. You will receive a secure link before each appointment. Sessions are 50 minutes and take place at a time agreed with your therapist. You do not need to download any software — Zoom runs in most web browsers. If you have any questions about the practical setup, our team is happy to walk you through it during your free consultation.
Is online counselling confidential?
Yes. Online sessions are held to exactly the same professional and ethical standards as in-person therapy. Sessions are confidential. There are limited circumstances in which this may need to change — for example, if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others, or where there is a legal obligation to disclose. Your therapist will explain these limits clearly before you begin your work together.
What if I have never done online therapy before?
That is completely fine — most people who come to us for online counselling are doing it for the first time. Your therapist will help you settle into the format at your own pace. There is nothing technically complex involved, and if you have any concerns beforehand, our team is happy to talk you through what to expect during your free 15-minute consultation.
How much does online counselling cost?
Individual counselling, mindfulness-based sessions start from £65, CBT sessions start from £85 per session and EMDR sessions start from £95. All fees are discussed clearly during your free consultation before you commit to anything. A reduced-rate option may be available with one of our trainee counsellors who work under qualified supervision — ask during your consultation if this would be helpful.
Do I need to be in the UK to access online counselling with Hope Therapy?
We primarily work with clients based in the UK. Some of our therapists are also able to work with clients based internationally — please mention this when you get in touch and we will do our best to match you with someone suitable. Therapists working internationally are required to practise in accordance with all relevant regulations for both countries involved.
Still have questions? The free consultation is the easiest way to ask them — no pressure to book sessions.
Explore Further
What we can help with online
Conditions our therapists work with most frequently
Related therapy approaches
From our Blog
Further reading
Articles to help you understand online counselling and decide whether it might be right for you.
Meet Our Founder
Built by someone who saw the need from the inside
★
SCoPEd Band C
MBACP & SNCPS Senior Accredited
“Having worked for more than 25 years in senior management, I saw the same thing repeatedly — people struggling with mental health and relationship challenges, and so often struggling to access the right support when it was needed. It was out of this recognition of human need that Hope was born.”
Ian Stockbridge founded Hope Therapy after 25+ years leading large commercial teams – watching colleagues carry stress, anxiety, and personal difficulty with nowhere to turn. He retrained rigorously, now holding Senior Accredited status with both the BACP and NCPS, alongside SCoPEd Band C — the highest independent competence verification in the UK counselling profession.
He remains a practising therapist, clinical supervisor, published author of PMDD Uncovered, and co-presenter of The Talk Room Podcast. Hope Therapy was built on the things he saw were most broken – and designed, from the ground up, to do better.
MBACP (Senior Accredited)
SNCPS (Acc)
SCoPEd Band C
BSc (Hons) CBT
PGCert Supervision L7
Quality Award 2024 — 95%+
You do not have to leave the house to get the support you need
A free, no-obligation 15-minute conversation. No pressure, no script — just a chance to be heard, ask questions, and see whether we feel like the right fit.
Get in Touch
Start your enquiry
Not sure where to start? Send us a message and a member of our team will get back to you. All enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“From the very first phone call, I felt heard. They didn’t rush me — they helped me work out what I needed.”
Hope Therapy enquiry feedback
NCPS Organisational Member
Est 2014
90+ Qualified Therapists
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies
Individual registrations vary per therapist. Last reviewed: May 2026.