What counselling costs

Where you see what applies

On every counsellor profile, the “Book a first session” box shows what the counselling costs. It says either “free” or “First session free” with the amounts for the sessions after that. At counselling centres, counselling is usually free.

The first session never costs anything. Writing messages is free too.

Voluntary contribution

Some centres that counsel free of charge accept voluntary contributions. The counsellor profile then has the box “Support counselling”. With “Choose a contribution” you pick a level or enter an amount yourself under “Other amount”. Next to it you see how much of it reaches the centre or practice.

Whether you give anything and how much is entirely up to you. A contribution changes nothing about your counselling and is not linked to your room.

Sliding-scale fee

Some centres and practices charge a fee for counselling. The first session is free there too. After that you pay for each further session in your room. This also applies to appointments you book yourself via “Find an appointment” after the first session. You choose the amount yourself from several levels. Those who can pay more help to carry those who have less.

The levels and amounts are shown on the counsellor profile in the “Sliding-scale fee” box. Below it, it also says until when you can cancel free of charge.

How to pay

1. After a session, the “Outstanding payments” box appears in your room.
2. Tap “Pay” next to the session. If several are outstanding, you can pay them all at once.
3. Under “Your fee”, choose the level that suits you. Next to it you see how the amount is split and what reaches the centre or practice.
4. Tap “Continue to payment”.

Paying in the room is still being set up. Until then, sort out payment with your counsellor.

The list of your appointments then shows whether a session is “open” or “paid”. Your counsellor can also waive a payment or record that you paid in cash or by bank transfer. If something is still outstanding, they may remind you with a message in the room.

The centre or practice writes you an invoice itself. If you need one, say so in the room.

Cancelling and cancellation fees

For follow-up sessions with a fee, your room shows for the next appointment until when you can cancel free of charge. If you cancel later, your counsellor may charge a cancellation fee. Whether they do is their decision. The session is then listed under “Outstanding payments” as “Cancellation fee, cancelled at short notice”.

So cancel as early as possible if you cannot make it. You do this in the room with “Cancel appointment”.

If money is tight

Choose the level that suits you. You do not have to show any proof. If no level fits right now, write to your counsellor in the room. They can waive a payment.

At many counselling centres, counselling is free. How to find a suitable centre is explained under How online counselling works.

What the centre sees of your payment

The payment page shows which details from your payment the centre or practice sees, for example the name on your card. In the room you still remain your pseudonym. More on anonymity under Anonymity and privacy.