This is the home page of UK Therapy Guild Counselling Services, a counselling matching service rooted in Liverpool and working online. It explains who we are, how we match you with a counsellor, the four groups we work with, how sessions work and what they cost, and gives two ways to get in touch: a self-referral form that reaches our team by email, and a free introductory call you can book yourself. If you need help urgently, crisis numbers are listed near the bottom of the page.
Welcome. If you are here, something has brought you, and that matters. You might be feeling overwhelmed, tired, anxious, or simply not yourself. You do not need to have the right words to begin.
We are a counselling matching service. We take time to understand what you need, then pair you with a counsellor whose training, experience and way of working suit you. Every one of our counsellors trained with UK Therapy Guild Academy and has passed our Fitness to Practise competency checks, and the whole service is overseen by our Director, Nichola Doyle.
Sessions take place online, from wherever you feel most comfortable, and you decide whether your camera is on or off. Everything is confidential, within clear limits your counsellor explains before you start.
UK Therapy Guild Counselling Services is based in Liverpool and, because our sessions take place online, we can support clients wherever they are. We offer professional, ethical counselling for individuals, alongside dedicated services for children and families, schools, colleges, workplaces, charities and community organisations. Our counselling is for adults aged 18 and over. For children, we offer play therapy and support in schools, always arranged through a parent, carer or school.
Our counselling is integrative, which means we recognise that no single way of working suits everyone. Every one of our counsellors is trained in the three main schools of thought in counselling, person-centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural, and can draw on further approaches such as Transactional Analysis, so the work can develop in a way that feels right for you. That means a relationship built on trust and safety, with gentle challenge when it helps, so that you can make real progress.
Matching is at the heart of what we do. When you contact us, we take time to understand what you are looking for, then carefully match you with the counsellor whose experience and way of working best suit your needs. Getting that match right is what helps a safe, trusting relationship take hold.
Every counsellor you meet here trained with UK Therapy Guild Academy and has passed our Fitness to Practise competency checks before seeing a single client.
Some of our counsellors are completing their clinical placement. They are overseen by our Director, Nichola Doyle, and receive regular supervision. When a counsellor talks about their work in supervision, you remain anonymous. It is used only to help them grow their skills and give you the best care.
Sessions with a counsellor on placement are £30.
We also have fully qualified counsellors for more complex or serious concerns. If you would prefer a qualified counsellor, just ask and we will arrange it.
Sessions with a qualified, experienced counsellor are £50.
Our qualified counsellors also offer hypnotherapy, and EMDR is available on request.
Pricing is based on our qualified rate of £50 a session and depends on your needs, so we agree it with you when we first talk things through.
When you first get in touch, we talk through what you need and use that to make the right match. You are never simply given whoever is free next.
Many people come to counselling when life feels heavier than usual, when emotions feel sharper, or when coping starts to take more effort than it used to.
You might have been carrying stress for a long time, feeling drained, stuck in your own thoughts, or finding that small things tip you over the edge. Sometimes there is a clear reason, like a change, a loss, or strain in a relationship. Sometimes it is harder to pinpoint, and you just know something is not quite right.
Counselling offers a calm, confidential space to talk openly, feel understood, and explore what might help, without judgement or pressure.
Choose a word to see what it can mean in everyday life. Only one opens at a time, so it stays calm and easy to follow.
Feeling like there is too much to manage, thoughts racing, or pressure building from all directions. Even small tasks can start to feel heavy or exhausting.
Feeling tense, alert, or easily startled. You might find it hard to relax, feel irritable, or notice your body never quite settles, even when things are calm.
Feeling detached from yourself or from others, going through the motions, or struggling to feel present. This can sometimes be a way of coping when things feel like too much.
Feeling down, flat, or lacking energy and motivation. Things you once enjoyed may feel harder to engage with, and days can start to blend together.
Feeling caught in the same patterns or thoughts, unsure how to move forward. You may know something needs to change but not know where to begin.
Feeling emotionally and physically drained, often after long periods of pressure or responsibility. Rest may not feel like enough, and motivation can feel depleted.
Feeling alone, even when other people are around. You may feel misunderstood, unsupported, or unable to share how things really feel.
If any of this feels familiar, you are in the right place. Talk to us about a session.
Whether you are looking for yourself, your child, a student or your staff, the first step is the same short conversation.
People seek support when life feels heavier, emotions feel sharper, or coping starts to slip, sometimes after a shock or a loss. You might feel stuck, exhausted, overwhelmed, or just not yourself.
Whatever brings you here, it is okay to talk things through, at a pace that feels safe and steady.
Children often show what they cannot yet put into words. Our play therapist works with children through play, at a pace that feels safe for them. Because of the nature of this work, play therapy sessions take place in the child's own home or residential setting, rather than online.
Play therapy is always arranged through a parent or carer, and we work closely with them throughout. Play therapy sessions are £50.
In education, pressure can build quietly, then show up as distress, withdrawal, anger, or avoidance. Students may struggle to regulate feelings, trust others, or feel safe enough to learn.
Our Director, Nichola Doyle, has many years' experience working with children. Alongside teaching at UK Therapy Guild Academy, she works as a psychotherapist in mainstream and SEND schools, supporting children from age 5 upwards, as well as staff and families. This work takes place on school premises.
Where our counsellors have the right experience and background in working with children, they can also work in schools under Nichola's oversight as Director, with paperwork and safeguarding handled by a named member of school staff. We also support colleges and university settings, where needs can be complex and often changing.
Supporting wellbeing at work can reduce strain, improve focus, and help people feel steadier through pressure, change, or personal stress.
Offering access to counselling can support retention, reduce absence, and build healthier working relationships.
We are proud to work alongside the Standing Tall Foundation, Promed Health and Derma, and a number of charities and Community Interest Companies. If your organisation would like to talk about working together, we would love to hear from you.
Fill in the form on this page, or book a free 30 minute consultation if you would rather talk than type. Either reaches the same team.
We get in touch within two working days to talk about what you are looking for and answer your questions. This conversation is how we make sure we match you with the right counsellor. No charge, no pressure.
If you want to go ahead, we agree a time that works for you. Sessions take place online, and you choose whether your camera is on or off. You decide how often you come.
A regular, protected hour with someone whose only job is to listen and help you make sense of things. You set the pace and you choose what you talk about.
Fill in as much as you feel comfortable sharing. Only your name, a way to contact you, and your consent are required. We will reply within two working days.
Your enquiry is with our team. Someone will be in touch within two working days using the method you chose. If you need to speak to somebody sooner, the urgent help numbers are just below.
Counselling appointments are arranged in advance, so this page cannot help in a crisis. If you are in danger, or thinking about harming yourself, please contact one of these instead. They are free and available right now.
No. You can refer yourself using the form on this page. You do not need to speak to your GP first, and we do not contact them unless you ask us to.
It means we do not force everyone down the same route. No single way of working suits every person, so our counsellors are trained in the three main schools of thought, person-centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural, and draw on them in a way that feels right for you.
In practice, you do not need to know any of this before you start. It is your counsellor's job to find the approach that fits.
Every counsellor trained with UK Therapy Guild Academy and has passed our Fitness to Practise competency checks. Some are on clinical placement, overseen by our Director, Nichola Doyle, and receive regular supervision. We also have fully qualified counsellors for more complex concerns, or if you would simply prefer one. Just let us know when you get in touch.
We reply to every enquiry within two working days. How soon your first session can be booked depends on availability, and we will tell you honestly when we get in touch.
Mostly listening. Your counsellor will explain how sessions work and what confidentiality means in practice, then give you space to say what brought you. There is no test and nothing to prepare.
Counselling is confidential, but it is not absolute, and we would rather you knew that now than found out later. What you say stays between you and your counsellor apart from three situations:
In those situations your counsellor has a duty to pass information on. They will talk it through with you first wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, though there are rare occasions where that is not possible. Your counsellor goes through all of this with you at the start, before you share anything, so you know exactly where you stand.
All counsellors take part in supervision, where they talk through their work with an experienced supervisor. If your sessions are discussed, you remain anonymous. Supervision exists purely to help your counsellor develop their skills and give you the best possible care.
There is no fixed number. Some people find a handful of sessions is enough, others prefer ongoing support. You and your counsellor review it together, and you are free to stop at any point.
All of our counselling sessions take place over a secure video call, and they work just as well for most people. All you need is a private space and a reliable connection. You choose whether your camera is on or off, and you can change that at any point. The only exceptions are play therapy for children, which takes place in the child's home or residential setting, and our work in schools, which takes place on school premises.
Yes. Hypnotherapy is offered by our qualified counsellors, and EMDR is available on request. Mention it when you get in touch and we will talk through whether it is right for you. Pricing is based on our qualified rate of £50 a session and depends on your needs, so we agree it with you at that first conversation.
Our counselling is for adults aged 18 and over. For children, we offer play therapy in the child's own home or residential setting, and support in schools. This is always arranged through a parent, carer or school.
Every session lasts 50 minutes. Sessions with a counsellor on placement are £30, and sessions with a qualified, experienced counsellor are £50. Play therapy is £50 a session. Hypnotherapy and EMDR are based on the £50 rate and agreed with you once we understand your needs. Your first 30 minute consultation is free. Payment is by bank transfer, and the details are included in your agreement before you start.
Getting in touch does not commit you to anything. It just opens the door.
No obligation and nothing to prepare. Pick a time that suits you and we will ring you on the number you give us.
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Or email counselling@uktherapyguild.co.uk and we will arrange a time with you.
