Counselling & CBT with Meridian Wellbeing

Tier 1 offers low-cost or free counselling for those who need it most, with a fair and discreet system to assess eligibility. We believe mental health support should be available to everyone, regardless of income or background.

Who is it for?
This service is designed for individuals who may be:

• Receiving benefits like Universal Credit, Income Support, ESA, JSA, or Housing Benefit
• Living in households with income below a set threshold (e.g. under £20,000/year, adjusted for dependants and London costs)

All financial information is handled confidentially and separately from your therapist, so your privacy and therapeutic relationship are protected.

Who will I see?
Tier 1 sessions are delivered by:

• Supervised trainee therapists working towards full accreditation.
• Newly qualified counsellors. All our therapists are registered with professional bodies (e.g. BACP, UKCP, BABCP) and supported by experienced supervisors.
• A qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)

You’ll be informed upfront if your therapist is in training, and it’s always your choice to continue.

What kind of support is offered?
Therapists may use approaches like CBT or Guided Self-Help, similar to NHS Talking Therapies. Support is tailored to your needs and delivered with care and professionalism.

Interventions may include the equivalent of NHS Talking Therapies Step 2 Guided Self-Help delivered by a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)

How much does it cost?
Sessions start from £20–£30, helping us keep the service running for the community. If cost is a barrier, please reach out and we’ll do our best to help. We’re committed to making sure no one is excluded from getting the support they need.

Tier 2 offers access to fully qualified therapists at a moderate cost, this is ideal for those who may not be able to afford private therapy but can contribute towards their sessions.

Who is it for?
This tier is open to everyone, with no means-testing. It’s designed for people who want high-quality therapy but need a more affordable option. A sliding scale may be available for:

• Those with lower or fluctuating income
• Single parents
• Students
• Self-employed individuals
• Anyone facing sudden financial challenges

What kind of support is offered?
Tier 2 provides high-quality professional treatment quality on a par with NHS Talking Therapies Step 3 Counselling and Step 3 CBT interventions including:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
• Counselling
• Other approaches like person-centred, integrative, psychodynamic, systemic, or psychoanalytic therapy

You will be seen by a qualified Counsellor or CBT therapist depending on your needs. Your therapist will share their background with you from the start, so you know who you’re working with.

Who will I see?
All Tier 2 therapists are:

• Fully qualified and accredited with professional bodies like BACP, UKCP, or BABCP
• Experienced and committed to ongoing professional development
• Supported by regular supervision to ensure high standards of care

You will be seen by a qualified Counsellor or CBT therapist depending on your needs. Your therapist will share their background with you from the start, so you know who you’re working with.

How much does it cost?
Sessions are offered at a low rate of £35–£50. While this doesn’t cover the full cost of delivering therapy, it helps us keep the service running and supports our Tier 1 offer for those in greater need.
If cost is a concern, please reach out and we’ll do our best to help. At Meridian Wellbeing, we believe mental health support should be accessible to all.

Tier 3 offers access to highly experienced therapists for those who are looking for specialist support and are able to invest more in their mental wellbeing. It’s ideal if you’re seeking a therapist with advanced expertise in a particular area or want more choice and control over who you work with.

Who is it for?
This tier is open to everyone, but especially suited to individuals who:

• Want to work with therapists who have extensive experience in specific approaches (e.g. trauma-informed therapy, couples counselling, advanced CBT, psychodynamic or systemic therapy).
• Prefer to choose their therapist based on background, training, or specialist skills.
• Are able to contribute more financially to access advanced expertise.

What kind of support is offered?

Tier 3 therapists offer a wide range of specialist approaches, including:

• High Intensity CBT, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Brief Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)
• Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy
• Couples and relationship therapy
• Trauma-informed care
• Psychodynamic, Psychoanalytic, Systemic, Person-Centred and Integrative modalities

You’ll be able to review therapist profiles, choose who you’d like to work with, and agree session rates with your therapist.

Who will I see?

All Tier 3 therapists are:

• Experts in their field, with at least five years post-qualification experience
• Senior accredited with professional bodies like BACP, BABCP, BPS, or UKCP

How much does it cost?
Session rates vary depending on the therapist’s specialism and availability. While these rates are higher, they are often discounted from standard private fees as part of our commitment to community wellbeing.

All proceeds from Tier 3 help subsidise our Tier 1 and Tier 2 services, making therapy more accessible for those in greater need.
If you’re unsure whether Tier 3 is right for you or have concerns about cost, please get in touch.