By Claire Tune, Counsellor and Supervisor in Godalming, Surrey

If you're about to begin your counselling or psychotherapy training in September, you may already know that personal therapy is a core requirement of most professional training programmes. For some students, this feels exciting, as an opportunity to deepen self-awareness and emotional insight. For others, it might feel daunting or financially challenging, especially when you’re juggling course fees, textbooks, placements and personal commitments. As a counsellor and supervisor based in Surrey with over 18 years of experience, I regularly support trainee counsellors through this important stage of their professional journey.

Many students contact me wondering, Why exactly do I need therapy? or What’s the point if I don’t feel like I have any big issues to work through? These are valid questions, and the answer lies in what it means to be present for someone else's emotional world. Personal therapy isn’t about having a problem to fix, it’s about developing the emotional depth, resilience, and self-knowledge needed to sit with clients in their own pain and complexity, without being overwhelmed by your own personal experiences.

Why Personal Therapy Is More Than a Requirement

While therapy may feel like a box to tick on your course checklist, it’s really an opportunity to step into the heart of the work. Most accredited training courses, particularly those aligned with BACP, UKCP, or other professional bodies view personal therapy as essential. Why? Because counsellors need to do their own emotional work in order to hold others safely.

In your own therapy, you’ll begin to notice your emotional patterns, your triggers and the unconscious assumptions you carry into conversations. You’ll experience what it feels like to be truly listened to, which helps you build empathy and compassion for clients. 

Some students discover that therapy brings up more than they expected. Others find it helps them feel grounded and confident as they begin their placement work. Whatever your experience, the process helps ensure that you’re not only growing professionally, but also as a human being, someone who can stay present, curious and open in the face of uncertainty.

What to Expect From Therapy as a Counselling Trainee

Therapy during training typically involves weekly sessions, often over the course of one or two years. Your course may require you to complete a minimum number of hours (commonly around 40 per year), and it’s important that your therapist is not involved in teaching, supervising or assessing your coursework.

In sessions, you might find yourself exploring your family history, beliefs about emotions, relationships or your fears about becoming a counsellor. You may talk about your placement, but it is important to remember that this isn’t supervision. It’s a place to process how the work impacts you. With the right therapist, you’ll feel safe enough to be honest, vulnerable, and self-reflective. All qualities that make you a more ethical and attuned practitioner.

How to Find the Right Therapist in Surrey

One of the most common concerns I hear from trainees is about cost. Counselling training is expensive, and not everyone can afford full-fee private therapy. That’s why many therapists in Surrey, myself included, offer reduced-fee therapy for counselling students. These sessions are designed to be both affordable and high quality.

When choosing a therapist, it’s a good idea to look for someone who:

• Has experience working with trainee counsellors
• Offers a student rate or low-cost therapy
• Understands course requirements and can provide evidence of hours if needed
• Has appropriate registration (e.g. BACP, UKCP, or equivalent)

In Surrey, there are therapists working in areas like Godalming, Guildford, Woking, Farnham, and beyond, offering both in-person and online sessions. Finding someone who feels like a good fit is more important than location, but working with someone nearby or online can make things more manageable if you're studying or working locally.

A Therapist and Supervisor Who Understands Training

As someone who has worked both as a therapist, supervisor and a trainer, I understand the demands that training places on new counsellors. I bring that understanding into my work with trainees, creating a space where you can process what you're learning, what you're feeling, and how you're growing - without judgment.

Whether you’re navigating imposter syndrome, struggling to set boundaries or processing personal issues that arise during training, therapy can be a crucial support system. It helps you stay resourced, reflective and able to hold your clients with integrity.

Interested in Therapy as a Trainee in Surrey? 

If you’re starting counselling or psychotherapy training this autumn and looking for personal therapy in Surrey, I’d be happy to offer an introductory call to discuss your needs. I offer reduced-fee spaces for trainee counsellors and can support you in meeting your course requirements in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.

You can book an initial session or simply get in touch to ask any questions you may have. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or already mid-way through, you deserve support from someone who understands.

Contact me to book your first session or ask any questions you may have