I feel low and don't know why, can counselling help?
Often, yes. You do not need a reason or a neat explanation to see a counsellor. Many people find that having regular, unhurried time with someone who listens without judging helps them make sense of why they feel the way they do. Counselling sits well alongside NHS care, and it is worth seeing your GP too if the low feeling has lasted more than a couple of weeks.
Feeling low without a clear reason
Plenty of people feel flat, tearful or heavy without being able to point to a cause. Often it is a build-up of small things: tiredness, a long stretch of pressure, a change you have not had time to take in, or something older that has quietly resurfaced. Not knowing why does not mean there is nothing worth talking about. It is often exactly what counselling is for.
What happens in counselling
- A first conversation. Your counsellor asks what has brought you, how long you have felt this way and what you hope for. You share only what you want to.
- Agreeing how you will work. They explain confidentiality, how long sessions last and how often you will meet.
- Talking it through. You set the pace. Your counsellor listens, asks gentle questions and reflects back what they hear, so patterns and feelings become easier to see.
- Noticing what helps. Over time many people find they understand themselves better and feel less alone with it.
Try something tonight
Want something gentle to do before you book? A self-guided relaxation recording gives you a quiet, kind half hour for yourself tonight.
Relaxation recordings are not medical treatment. Please only listen somewhere safe where you can relax, never while driving.
Or see someone: find counsellors near you
180 counsellors in the Practitioner directory, each with a phone number. Pick your town:
Or by what you would like help with: low mood · Also: hypnotherapists
How many sessions will I need?
Sessions usually last 50 minutes and are weekly. Some people come for a short block of six to twelve sessions, and others prefer open-ended counselling that carries on for months. Your counsellor should review with you how it is going, and it is fair to ask at the start how they would suggest working.
Roughly what does it cost?
Private counselling in the UK commonly costs from £45 a session, and often more in big cities. Some counsellors offer lower-cost places based on income, and many offer a short first chat so you can see whether you click. Check the session length and cancellation terms before you begin.
Where it fits alongside NHS care
For low mood the NHS usually suggests self-help, talking therapies and sometimes medication. You can often refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP first. Many people use private counselling alongside this or while waiting. Please don't stop or change any medicine or treatment on the strength of counselling. A good counsellor will tell you if another route is better first.
When to see your GP first
Please see your GP, and tell your counsellor, if the low feeling has lasted more than two weeks, if you have lost interest in things you usually enjoy, if your sleep or appetite has changed a lot, or if it is getting in the way of work or home life. Low mood can sometimes have a physical cause, such as a thyroid problem or low vitamin levels, and a simple check can rule that in or out.
If you need to talk to someone now
- Samaritans: call 116 123, free, any time, day or night.
- NHS 111: call for urgent help when it is not an emergency.
- 999 or A&E: if you or someone else is in danger.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out to one of these today. You do not have to wait for an appointment.
More questions
Do I need a reason to see a counsellor?
No. Feeling low, flat or not quite yourself is reason enough. Working out what lies behind it is often part of the counselling itself.
Will counselling make me feel worse at first?
Some people feel a bit raw or tired after talking about difficult things, and that usually eases. Tell your counsellor how you are finding it, and they can slow down or change how they work.
Is counselling the same as seeing a psychologist?
No. Counsellors and psychotherapists mostly work by talking with you over time. Practitioner psychologist is a protected title and must be registered with the HCPC, while counsellor is not protected, so ask about training and membership of a professional body.
Can I have counselling online or by phone?
Yes. Many people find video or phone sessions easier to fit in and more comfortable when they are feeling low. If you would rather sit in the room with someone, choose a counsellor near you.
What if I don't click with my counsellor?
That happens, and it is fine to say so or try someone else. Feeling comfortable and understood matters a great deal, so a short first chat is a good way to check.