About us
The Westminster Community Counselling Service operates out of the University of Westminster, and is dedicated to making emotional support via talking therapies more accessible to local communities. By offering therapy at low cost, we aim to reduce financial barriers that often prevent people from seeking the help they need. Whether clients are facing anxiety, depression, loss, relationship issues, or life transitions, the service offers a supportive, affordable, and inclusive service for your growth and healing.
At the heart of our practice is a commitment to equality and accessibility. We aim to meet each client with openness and respect, valuing diversity whether it be cultural, religious, sexual, or to do with gender identities. Our goal is to build a therapeutic relationship that honours the unique circumstances and needs of every individual, by providing a space where clients feel truly seen and heard.
Note: This email is not always monitored, but we aim to get back to you within a few working days.
For Emergency Support (24/7):
NHS 111 – Mental Health Crisis Line
999 – In cases of immediate risk to life or safety
The Samaritans Helpline – 116 123
University of Westminster Emergency Number: 5555 – For urgent on-site assistance (e.g. first aid, security)
Please note that while this service provides counselling to the local community, we are unable to provide counselling to students or staff at the University of Westminster.
Training, qualifications & experience
At the Westminster Community Counselling Service, our team is made up of both trainee and qualified counsellors who are committed to providing high-quality, ethical, and inclusive therapeutic support. All our practitioners are either currently undertaking or have completed recognised professional counselling and psychotherapy training.
Our trainee counsellors are in the advanced stages of their training and work under the close supervision of experienced clinical supervisors, and following all relevant professional and ethical standards. They bring a high level of commitment, insight, and care to their work, supported by regular supervision and ongoing academic study.
Our qualified counsellors are fully trained and are members of relevant professional bodies such as the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). Additionally, they may be working towards (or have already achieved) accreditation with their professional body.
To ensure safe and effective practice, all our counsellors - trainee and qualified - receive regular clinical supervision and engage in ongoing personal therapy. This reflective approach supports their professional development and helps maintain the highest standard of care for clients.
We are committed to creating a safe, confidential, and respectful space for all individuals seeking support, regardless of background, identity, or life experience.
Member organisations *
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Areas of counselling we deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£20.00 - £70.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Westminster Community Counselling Service is committed to making therapy accessible and more affordable. Our low-cost fee structure is designed to support individuals in a range of financial circumstances.
£20 per session for those who are:
- Unemployed (with proof of unemployment or benefit status)
- Students (with valid student ID)
- Retired individuals
£35 per session for all other clients, or £70 if a senior practitioner if specifically requested.
We aim to remove financial barriers wherever possible while ensuring the sustainability of the service. If you have questions about your eligibility or are facing financial hardship, please feel free to contact us - concessions can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Further information
At Westminster Community Counselling Service, inclusivity and diversity are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to offer a welcoming and affirming space for individuals from all backgrounds, recognising the importance of identity, culture, beliefs, and lived experience in the therapeutic process.
We are a GSRD (Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity) friendly service, meaning we are supportive of clients who identify as gender, sexual, and relationship diverse. This includes, but is not limited to, people who are LGBTQIA+, non-monogamous, kink-identified, or curious and exploring any aspects of their identity. Our counsellors are committed to ongoing learning and reflection to ensure our practice remains respectful, informed, and free from assumption or judgment.
We recognise that mental health cannot be separated from the wider social context. Our team is dedicated to anti-oppressive practice and strives to make counselling accessible and relevant to individuals who traditionally face marginalisation, discrimination, or systemic barriers to support.
Whether you are seeking help for a specific issue or looking for a space to explore your sense of self, we always aim to meet you with sensitivity, openness, and respect.
In addition to our core counselling team, clients also have the option to work with senior psychotherapists and psychoanalysts by request. These highly experienced practitioners bring specialist expertise and offer their services at individually set rates. However, these rates are also kept intentionally low to ensure greater access for communities surrounding the University of Westminster. Sessions with one of our senior clinicians at the University of Westminster are currently offered at £70. You can book with Prof Damien Ridge or Dr Nikolaos Souvlakis by requesting them during your initial assessment consultation.
