Telephone counselling
Telephone counselling for adults across the UK
Ann Purves, Registered Member MBACP, provides confidential one-to-one telephone counselling for adults and young people across the UK. Sessions last 30 or 60 minutes and cost £30–£50. The first step is a short email or call to arrange an introductory chat.
At a glance
- Provider
- Ann Purves
- Professional status
- Registered Member MBACP, registration 00988953. Verify on the BACP Register.
- Format
- Telephone, audio only, no video or app required
- Session length
- 60 minutes (full session) or 30 minutes (shorter session)
- Fee
- £50 / 1 hour · £30 / 30 minutes
- Clients
- Adults and young people from age 5
- Coverage
- UK-wide, based in Newcastle upon Tyne
- First step
- Email ann@annpurves.com or call 07856 187641
Why choose telephone counselling
Telephone counselling gives you all the depth of one-to-one therapy without needing a camera, a video app, or a room styled for a screen. Many clients find they open up more easily on the phone. There's less self-consciousness about how you look or what's visible behind you, and you're free to sit somewhere that actually feels comfortable, including outdoors or on a walk.
It works just as well as video for building a therapeutic relationship. What matters in counselling, being properly listened to, understood and given space to think, comes through voice just as clearly as it does over video.
Who telephone counselling suits
It particularly suits people who find video calls tiring or exposing, who have unreliable broadband but good phone signal, who want to talk while moving rather than sitting still at a screen, or who simply prefer a phone conversation. It's equally available to anyone who just wants the flexibility. You don't need a specific reason to choose it over video.
Common questions
Telephone counselling, explained
How does telephone counselling work?
You call in, or I call you, at an agreed time each week. We talk exactly as you would in person. There's no video, no app to install, just a phone call in a private space. Sessions are confidential within the same professional and legal limits as any other format.
Can therapy really be done by phone, without video?
Yes. Telephone counselling is a well-established, complete form of talking therapy in its own right, not a lesser substitute for video. Many clients find it easier to speak openly without being on camera, and it removes any dependence on a stable video connection or a camera-ready space.
What happens during a telephone counselling session?
The session runs just like an in-person one: we talk through what's happening for you, at your pace, in a confidential and non-judgemental space. There's no fixed script. Each session starts from what's live for you that week.
Phone counselling vs video counselling: which should I choose?
Both are delivered to the same standard and cost the same. Phone suits people who find video calls tiring, self-conscious or impractical, or who want to walk while they talk. Video suits people who value seeing facial expression and body language. You're welcome to try either, and to switch between them.
What happens if the call disconnects during a session?
If a call drops, I will call you straight back on the number you booked with. If we can't reconnect immediately, I'll follow up by email to rearrange as soon as possible. You won't lose the remainder of a paid session to a technical problem.
How much does telephone counselling cost?
£50 for a 1-hour session and £30 for a 30-minute session, the same fee as online video counselling. Payment method details are provided upon request.
Can I have telephone counselling anywhere in the UK?
Yes. Telephone counselling is available UK-wide. All you need is a phone signal and a private space to talk. I'm based in Newcastle upon Tyne but work with clients across the whole of the UK.
Do you need to see my face to provide counselling?
No. Voice, pace, tone and what you choose to say carry a great deal of information on their own. Telephone counselling is a genuine, complete form of therapy, not a compromise made in the absence of video.
Ready to talk it through?
Send me an email or give me a call and we'll find a time that works.