About Us

What we do

We provide a low cost face to face and online counselling service run by trainee counsellors in their fourth and final year of training. Our trainee therapists join us from accredited courses and training colleges, to complete their necessary placement year - where they gain the essential clinical hours needed to qualify. Supported by the Trainees, we are therefore able to provide adults with low cost talking therapy, where perhaps they otherwise may have been unable to access counselling because of long waitlists or could not afford talking therapy. Our affordable rates range from £10 to £40 per 50 minute session based on financial circumstance and application. We are based in Woodstock and are therefore able to offer counselling to people in West Oxfordshire and surrounding Oxfordshire villages. Initial Consultations and follow up sessions are normally available within one to two weeks. Our small team aims to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours however for more immediate or urgent support please call the local mental health helpline available in Oxfordshire by dialling '111'.

The Help Hub is supported by a number of experienced qualified psychotherapists, a multi-skilled Board of Trustees and Ethical Committee, along with a Programme Manager and Administrative Assistant.

Who we help

Our original mission was to provide an urgent response to support people through the outbreak of Covid-19 and address the mental health impact of the pandemic. The Help Hub was formed in early 2020, offering free, immediately accessible online emotional support to UK adults via a network of qualified volunteer Psychotherapists. 

The HelpHub was set up by psychotherapist Ruth Chaloner in April 2020.  Originally Ruth’s intention was to support people who were on a waiting list for NHS mental health support or couldn’t afford private therapy, but when the Covid-19 crisis started she rapidly adapted the service to provide free emotional support for people suffering during the pandemic. Garnering press attention nationally, the service was able to onboard over 800 fully-qualified volunteer therapists (Link to press here: https://www.thehelphub.co.uk/press.html). 

In 2021 we received further funding from West Oxfordshire District Council to pilot an expansion of the service to help young people (ages 11-18) in the area, providing one to one therapy sessions in a local school. 

As the demand for accessible counselling and psychotherapy is greater than ever, we have recognised the need to evolve the service to ensure it is both effective and sustainable, and in late 2022 The Help Hub relaunched offering low cost face to face and online counselling services to adult residents in Oxfordshire. 

The Process

Upon enquiry, one of the team will get in contact to find a suitable time to book an online Initial Consultation appointment. This 30 minute appointment allows you to discuss your current situation and concerns with a qualified therapist who will then assess and triage to find you a suitable Trainee Therapist who will support you onwards. Should you wish to apply for a subsidised rate, please discuss this in your initial Consultation Appointment. If you would like to continue to therapy through The Help Hub, you will then be allocated a Trainee Therapist and the team will find a convenient weekly appointment slot. Sessions are normally booked in blocks of 6 x 50 minute sessions with payment due in advance of all sessions. These can be paid flexibly where necessary. You will receive an invoice to make online payment. Once payment is received, appointments will be confirmed and where appropriate, you will be sent an online link to join your appointment. The need for future appointments will be reviewed routinely after every four sessions with your therapist. The Help Hub is here to help...because every worry is valid.