The Awareness Centre
The Awareness Centre (TAC) is one of London’s leading providers of in-person and online counselling, psychotherapy, and psychosexual and relationship therapy. Our services are BACP accredited. We offer a warm and welcoming environment for clients seeking support for their mental health. With over 300 therapists specialising in a wide range of issues in more than 20 languages, we provide confidential therapy services tailored to adults, adolescents, and children. Whether you are looking for individual counselling or family or couples therapy, we’re here to help you find the right therapist for you – you do not need a GP referral. Call our team on 020 8673 4545 or book an appointment online.
Our Training School offers a complete professional journey from Foundation Certificate level through to our BACP Accredited Diploma in Counselling, equivalent to Levels 3–5. With our Diploma, there is an opportunity for an in-house counselling placement, where you’ll gain meaningful experience working with real clients in a safe, supervised environment. You’ll build your skills, deepen your confidence, and graduate ready to practise. We also offer a Diploma in Clinical Supervision, empowering qualified counsellors and therapists to expand their expertise and enhance their practice. During the course, trainee supervisiors have access to an in-house supervision placement to support them in building valuable experience with supervisees. Call us on 020 3051 8235 or email training@theawarenesscentre.com.
Our Therapy Services
Therapists practicing in our private therapy service are qualified and experienced counsellors and psychotherapists and are registered or accredited. They work in person and online and are specialists in working with many issues.
Trainee therapists can access therapy with one of our qualified therapists at a reduced fee while completing their professional training.
We also have a team of therapists coming to the end of their training and working towards full qualification and registration who offer low-cost therapy from our Clapham & Tooting centres and online.
You do not need a GP referral to see a private therapist, unless you are using your private healthcare insurance. We work with adults, children, and adolescents and we have no waiting list for our services. Book an appointment online or call our team today on 020 8673 4545 to be referred to see a therapist at a time that works for you.
Our qualified private Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Psychosexual & Relationship therapists are all either registered or accredited with one or more of the following professional bodies.
Sunah has been my therapist for 3-4 months now. I had a great experience working on myself with her. She is very caring and approachable making it easy for me to trust her and share a lot of personal information as i never felt judged. I look forward to every session with her and time flies by during the session. Above all she has helped me stand up for myself and feel more secure in my thoughts and decisions which is something I have struggled with and am still working on. Anyone would be blessed to have her as a therapist and she means a lot to me.
When my partner and I hit a bumpy patch due to the pressures of life, we found ourselves struggling to communicate and truly listen to one another. I realised we needed a helping hand, but not just anyone. We wanted someone who genuinely cared, rather than simply following a set process. After reading many therapist biographies, Joy’s really stood out to me, so we took a leap of faith and booked an appointment.
From the very first session, Joy was warm, engaging, and deeply attuned to both of our personalities. She created a safe space where we each felt heard, giving us the time to express our feelings while gently helping us understand each other’s perspectives. The thoughtful “homework” she gave us also helped us recognise and change some ingrained habits.
We genuinely enjoyed the process, and now that our sessions have ended, we both find ourselves missing Joy. We were so impressed that we recommended her to my partner’s sister, who also found her session hugely beneficial. We would wholeheartedly recommend Joy to anyone seeking relationship support.
I thought Natalia was an excellent therapist, I have had therapy in the past and have not found it as helpful before. With Natalia I felt like she created a very safe space, she made me feel relaxed and comfortable enough to open up and express myself. I feel like she made the effort to make a connection with me as a client. Thank you for your help.
I worked with Anna over the course of 8 counselling sessions and I have found these sessions extremely helpful. Anna set some clear objectives and an initial timeline for our work together. She was professional but also friendly and approachable so I found myself at ease very quickly and was able to share more and more over our sessions together.
I felt that Anna genuinely cared about my story and while she was a wonderful listening ear, she also gave me ideas and avenues to explore in order to move forward, by interpreting how my past experiences may have shaped the person I am now and the challenges I sometimes struggle with. Her warmth and her absolute belief that anyone can change and have a healthier relationship with themselves was a great comfort to me.
After 8 sessions, I find myself with some great tools to move forward and achieve the change I am seeking. Anna has taught me that the most important thing of all is being kind and patient to myself and I am very glad I worked with her. I would be completely happy to recommend Anna to anyone who is looking for a good counsellor.
I was looking for a therapist to help me following a trauma. I wasn’t able to eat or sleep and had worry and anxiety. I had lost a significant amount of weight and was continuing to do so, that had begun worrying me further. After several months I wasn’t feeling any better. When I contacted Nick I knew instantly during a free introductory phone call that Nick was someone I could talk to. He made me feel comfortable and safe. Although we could not schedule appointments immediately due to my commitments and his availability I eventually opted to conduct our sessions via what’s app and that worked. I finally had the help I needed. I wish I had opted for that sooner. Nick really listened and with patience. He was skilfully alert to what might help me. He gave me small amounts of food for thought that I could digest and contemplate. He was also solution focused where I couldn’t be, and that enabled me to have a breakthrough and take action that set me free me from my merry-go-round . After that I immediately started to regain my weight and I’m back to normal – perhaps actually in better physical shape. He identified what was holding me back and gave me that incentive to make that shift. Things are so much better for me now. I’ll be forever grateful. I’ve had other counselling therapy and there’s just no comparison. I can’t recommend Nick highly enough.
I have found a real safe space to work through some extremely difficult and painful things which Ella has facilitated for me. She has always been professional and although the process is extremely hard sometimes I trust that I’m in safe hands which is hugely due to how Ella has navigated our sessions. I look forward to the rest of the process.
We began Couples therapy with Hyacinthos back in September 2023. At the time we were separated. But with the help and intervention of Hyacinthos, we soon realised how deep our love was and how we could actually work through our issues and within a few weeks, we decided to rekindle our relationship. Our journey and self discovery has been incredible and in the short space of time our relationship has grown from strength to strength and we are now happier, than we have ever been as a couple and individually. This is thanks to Hyacinthos and his non judgemental style of therapy and great understanding of relationships and personal development. We both highly recommend Hyacinthos.
I am so grateful to have found The Awareness Centre, it has helped through some tough times and the support of my counsellor has allowed me to regain confidence in myself and life. I would recommend if anyone feels they need to talk through anything, here is definitely the place to do so. Thank you.
Working with Shirley was truly transformational. From the very first session, she was warm, kind and welcoming. I always felt supported and genuinely cared for throughout my journey, and it made such a difference knowing I was in safe, compassionate hands. Her sincerity and empathy helped foster a strong therapeutic relationship where I felt comfortable enough to open up and work through difficult issues from my childhood. I genuinely looked forward to our sessions, and I’m so grateful for the progress I made with her support. I can’t thank her enough and would highly recommend her to anyone considering EMDR!
This has been my first experience of therapy and Claire has really helped me in my journey to better process the personal circumstances I have been going through. This has been through providing a safe space where I feel comfortable to discuss my emotions, as well as suggesting practices which help to manage these. I have found Claire to be extremely professional and good at what she does, and I would highly recommend Claire to anyone else looking to undertake therapy.
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Low-Cost Counselling & Psychotherapy Service at The Awareness Centre
We believe in making therapy accessible to everyone. We offer affordable therapy at our Clapham and Tooting centres and online, with therapists coming to the end of their training at our training school or with our external training providers. Our trainee counsellors and psychotherapists are carefully selected and develop their clinical experience with The Awareness Centre, while working towards full qualification and registration.
Whether you need short or long-term support, our trainee counsellors and psychotherapists are here for you. They offer confidential, affordable support from Monday to Saturday. Book an appointment online or call our team today to be referred to see a therapist at a time that works for you.
We Are Here For You
The Awareness Centre is open Monday- Saturday, with early appointments from 7am and the latest sessions at 9pm. Book an appointment online at a time that works for you, or call us on 020 8673 4545.
Our clinical team is on hand to assist you in deciding what type of therapy is right for you. We’ll talk to you about what you’re experiencing and help you take the right step forward.
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Introducing A Bunch of Therapists – a new podcast opening the door to real conversations from inside the therapy room.
Ever wondered what makes therapists… therapists? Step into a world where mental health professionals become the storytellers, sharing their own raw, unfiltered journeys and insights. Join hosts Michaela McCarthy and Dipti Solanki as they flip the script, turning candid conversations with fellow therapists into powerful revelations about the human experience – from both sides of the couch.
Whether you’re in therapy, considering it, or simply curious about how it works, this podcast offers real insight into the therapeutic journey – what it feels like, why it matters, and how it can change lives.
New episodes every Thursday.
We provide short-term NHS Talking Therapies in Lambeth, Sutton and Wandsworth. Our counsellors and psychotherapists are either in training or have qualified in many approaches to therapy. We offer face-to-face or online sessions. You can self-refer or be referred by your GP. All NHS clients must be 18+.
The NHS will triage you for this counselling service by phone. Therapists work with clients who want to explore their symptoms of anxiety and depression.
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Take the first step and book your counselling appointment today. We do not have a waiting list.
FAQs
The first step in starting counselling is to find a therapist you can work with. If you’d like to make a start, check out our team of therapists to see which have the experience and expertise for the issues you’re bringing to therapy.
If you’d like more guidance in deciding on the specific mental health services or professionals that are right for you, please call our team on 020 8673 4545 and they will point you in the right direction.
If you are seeking private therapy or low cost counselling , you can self-refer and call us on on 020 8673 4545 or book an appointment online. However, you do need to be registered with a GP to use the low cost service. If you are using your private healthcare insurance to pay for your therapy, you will need a GP referral. For our NHS counselling service, you can either self-refer or be referred by your GP.
Once you’re booked in for an appointment, your therapist will call to confirm day and time, check any details, and to answer any practical questions you might have. Your counsellor won’t be able to provide a therapy session on the phone before you start. You’ll be able to talk about your issues during your first full session.
We don’t offer interpreters for our low-cost and private counselling services; however, our multilingual therapists offer counselling in over 20 languages.
Our Diploma in Integrative Counselling was accredited by BACP in May 2024. BACP do not accredit Foundation Certificate or Supervision courses. However, our courses are created according to BACP guidelines and the competence framework for supervision.
We welcome students with no formal qualifications or previous experience to join our Foundation Certificate In Counselling. To join our Diploma in Integrative Counselling you will need the TAC Foundation Certificate in Counselling, or equivalent qualification from another training provider. For the Diploma in Clinical Supervision, you need to be a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Please see the individual course pages for more detail about enrolment requirements.
Our courses are not currently eligible for student finance. However, we do offer a direct debit monthly payment system to support your monthly budget