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 counsellors and psychotherapists 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.
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.
Marina is a wonderful and caring therapist. She always listens attentively, and has given me so many valuable and encouraging insights to help me let go, develop and feel empowered. She has helped me to connect more with my feelings and express them, as well as make sense of my experiences and how they relate to the present.
I couldn’t recommend Elizabeth or The Awareness Centre more. I rang in the summer of 2024 looking for help, and the reception team were quick to help me find Elizabeth based on availability/what I was looking for. Elizabeth is fantastic, and has created a judgement free, safe zone for the past 6 months of sessions. She’s taught me to speak kindly to myself and so much more, and her help has been life changing. I feel really equipped to take on my anxiety and things that life may throw my way because of the toolkit Elizabeth has helped me create – I can’t thank her enough.
These sessions have dramatically changed my outlook and questioned my perspectives on life. They have guided me to reconnect to a sense of purpose, to unpack all of the complexities I could not make sense of. Minoo has so eloquently supported me on a journey to unlock and give myself permission to process my grief. To look into those darker corners with strength and pride. To take on new opportunities by believing in myself again. I am so grateful that I was given this service, to support my mental health at such a rocky and devastating time. Thank you Minoo for all of your time, energy and awareness, I will forever hold onto the newfound reflections these sessions have provided for my current and future self.
My sessions with Ann have become an invaluable tool in helping me understand myself and how I feel about the events that are taking place within and around my life. I look forward to unpacking the thoughts, feelings and events of a given week in her session, knowing that I will leave with a clearer contextualisation for them and their interconnectedness. Ann creates a space where you feel comfortable to take the time to articulate what you’re going through, giving room for you to reach answers for yourself but also she knows when to prod and unpack things more deeply. I also appreciate how well she remembers the events and relationships in my life, rarely do I have to repeat things we’ve covered which helps maintain my train of thought and allows the most to be gained from each session. Importantly, I feel safe in her room to share that which is most private in my life. In my time working with her I have learnt more about myself, my motivations and the root of certain patterns of behaviour.
Phil was an excellent therapist, both giving me space to speak my mind to the conclusion of a thought, and then at the appropriate time stepping in to suggest new ways of seeing my emotions in context. I’ve emerged from the experience enriched and better able to perceive the perspectives of others in my life and relationships, without negating my own emotions within them. I would highly recommend speaking with Phil if you have a situation in your life which you feel a lack of control over – his calm, patient and kind approach was invaluable in navigating several very difficult months for me.
Sinthia is a professional and phenomenal therapist and really listens and makes sense of my sessions by adding and hi-lighting things I may have not thought of… she has honestly helped me through a very rough patch of my life and without her, it would have been harder as I was in a very low place. She has given and shown me my inner courage and is still helping me through it.
I have found my experience with my therapist at The Awareness Centre very helpful and valuable. Berenice is very warm and engaging and has taught me lots of helpful techniques around managing and easing an anxious attachment style, forming healthier habits, communicating effectively, boosting confidence and self-esteem, and navigating big life changes. I had put off attending therapy for a long time but I’m very glad I took the plunge and booked some sessions as it’s been invaluable.
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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