Wellbeing Hub

BetterHelp alternatives in the UK: why some clients choose Hammock Counselling

If you are searching for online therapy in the UK, you may come across both Hammock Counselling and BetterHelp.

Both provide access to online counselling. However, the structure, philosophy, and pricing model of each service are quite different.

Understanding these differences can help you decide what kind of therapeutic support feels right for you.

Hammock Counselling was created with a particular idea in mind: that therapy should be affordable, consistent, reflective and professionally well supported. Below are some of the ways this approach differs from large online therapy platforms.

A quick comparison

Feature	Hammock Counselling	BetterHelp
Cost	£30 per session (£120 per month)	Typically £50 to £80 per week (£200 to £320 per month)
Payment model	Pay per session	Subscription billed every four weeks
Location	UK based service	Large international platform
Therapist selection	Personally interviewed	Platform matching system
Therapeutic approach	Psychodynamic focus	Mixed modalities
Session structure	Consistent weekly session	Weekly sessions plus optional messaging
Supervision	In house supervision structure	Therapists typically operate as independent practitioners

Clear and affordable pricing

One of the core aims of Hammock Counselling is to make therapy more financially accessible.

Sessions cost £30, which works out at £120 per month for weekly therapy.

By comparison, publicly available information suggests that BetterHelp typically costs between £50 and £80 per week, which equates to roughly £200 to £320 per month.

Cost is one of the most common barriers preventing people from accessing therapy. Hammock Counselling was designed to reduce that barrier while still offering thoughtful and professionally supported counselling.

A UK based, founder led service

Hammock Counselling is a UK based service created and led by a team of practising therapists with a shared mission, ethos and set of professional values.

Rather than operating primarily as a technology platform, the service is shaped by clinical values and reflective practice. The aim is to create a smaller professional community where therapists share a similar ethos and approach to their work.

For many clients, this provides a sense that the service is personal, grounded, and accountable.

A coherent therapeutic approach for clients seeking depth

Hammock Counselling places a deliberate emphasis on psychodynamic therapy, a long established form of talking therapy that carefully explores how past experiences influence present emotions, relationships, and patterns. In an overstimulating and fast paced world, our clients are often people seeking greater depth and meaning in their lives, and this is a great type of therapy for precisely that.

There is a substantial research base supporting psychodynamic psychotherapy. Meta analyses have found it to be effective for a wide range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and complex relational problems.

Some research also suggests that the benefits of psychodynamic therapy can continue to develop even after therapy has ended, as insights gained during therapy continue to unfold over time.

The importance of the therapeutic relationship

One of the most consistent findings in psychotherapy research is the importance of the therapeutic alliance, the working relationship between therapist and client.

A large body of research shows that the strength of this relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive therapy outcomes.

This is one reason Hammock Counselling emphasises consistent weekly sessions with the same therapist, allowing a relationship to develop steadily over time.

Why weekly therapy matters

Many therapeutic approaches emphasise the value of regular weekly sessions.

Research into psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapies suggests that continuity and session frequency are associated with stronger therapeutic progress and deeper psychological work.

Regular weekly sessions can also help people develop a sense of structure, stability, and emotional containment, which can be particularly helpful during periods of stress or transition. Many of our clients come to us with very busy lives and find that being encouraged to make space for regular sessions is a valuable part of the process in helping them regain control of their lives and choices.

Boundaries and the therapeutic framework

Some online therapy platforms offer therapy models that include flexible messaging or contact outside sessions.

Hammock Counselling takes a different approach. Therapy takes place within a dedicated weekly session. And again, there is a very deliberate and meaningful reason for this.

Many therapists find that clear boundaries and a defined therapeutic space can help support reflection and independence. Therapy becomes a place to think deeply about experiences rather than something accessed immediately whenever distress appears.

This structure can help clients develop self reflection, emotional resilience, and clearer personal boundaries over time. As before with the benefits of establishing structure and routine into your life, many clients also struggle with establishing and maintaining boundaries in their lives. So the boundaried approach we take with you helps model and support you to establish your own boundaries with others in your life.

Clinical supervision and why it matters

One of the most important aspects of safe and effective therapy is clinical supervision.

Supervision is a process where therapists regularly discuss their work with an experienced supervisor. This creates a reflective space to think about client work, ethical issues, and therapeutic dynamics. Like many counselling organisations in the UK, we view supervision as a foundational part of safe and ethical practice.

At Hammock Counselling, supervision is provided exclusively in house and forms a central part of the service structure. Therapists regularly reflect on their work together with a highly experienced supervisor, and receive professional support and oversight.

On large digital platforms such as BetterHelp, therapists typically operate as independent practitioners who use the platform to connect with clients. Because of this structure, formal clinical supervision is generally not provided by the platform itself. Therapists are expected to already be fully licensed and responsible for arranging their own professional supervision and oversight.

Research commissioned by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy suggests that clinical supervision can improve therapist skill development, support ethical practice, and enhance client outcomes.

Supervision has also been linked to reduced professional burnout and improved therapist wellbeing, which ultimately benefits the quality of care clients receive.

Providing supervision internally allows Hammock Counselling to support therapists while maintaining consistent professional standards across the service.

Thoughtfully supported trainee counsellors

Like many low cost counselling services in the UK, Hammock Counselling includes counsellors who are completing professional training placements.

For clients, this can actually bring advantages.

Trainee counsellors often work with smaller caseloads and higher levels of supervision, which means they may have more time and attention available for each client they see.

Training placements are also highly sought after, which allows Hammock Counselling to carefully select therapists who are motivated, reflective, and committed to their professional development.

Many counsellors joining our service are also second or third career professionals, bringing valuable life experience alongside their clinical training.

Therapist workload and quality of care

Another factor that can influence therapy quality is therapist workload.

Some reports from therapists working on large digital platforms have suggested that pay structures and administrative pressures can create pressure to take on higher volumes of clients.

Some publicly reported accounts from therapists have suggested earnings of around £18 to £20 per session depending on the payment structure used. As with many platform models, earnings can vary depending on factors such as client volume and subscription arrangements.

These kinds of structures can raise wider questions about sustainability and the potential for professional burnout in high volume models.

At Hammock Counselling, the aim is to maintain manageable caseloads and a supportive professional structure, helping therapists remain thoughtful and present in their work so that clients feel really well supported and seen.

A carefully selected community of therapists

Every therapist working within Hammock Counselling is personally interviewed by the founders (Tom and Ed) before joining the service.

Because there is strong demand for training placements, the service can maintain a high standard when selecting counsellors. The aim is to bring together therapists who share a commitment to reflective practice, professional integrity, and thoughtful client care.

This helps create a service that feels coherent, carefully held, and grounded in shared values.

When BetterHelp might be the right choice

While Hammock Counselling offers a structured, psychodynamic focussed, supervised model, there are some situations where a platform like BetterHelp might suit certain clients.

Flexibility in timing
If someone needs the option to message a therapist outside of a set weekly session, BetterHelp’s model can be convenient.

Immediate accessibility
For clients who want rapid access to a wide range of therapists, the platform can connect them quickly.

International coverage
BetterHelp operates in multiple countries, so it may be appealing to those outside the UK or who travel frequently.

In summary

Both BetterHelp and Hammock Counselling offer ways to access online therapy.

However, they represent different models of care.

Hammock Counselling was designed around the idea that therapy works best when it is:

• affordable
• consistent in quality and approach
• relational
• thoughtfully and carefully supervised
• grounded in a clear therapeutic philosophy

For clients who value depth, continuity, and a well supported therapeutic relationship, this model can feel like a good fit.

Frequently asked questions about BetterHelp and online therapy in the UK

Is BetterHelp available in the UK?

Yes. BetterHelp is an international online therapy platform that operates in the UK and many other countries. Clients in the UK can sign up online and be matched with a therapist through the platform.

Are there alternatives to BetterHelp in the UK?

Yes. There are many alternatives, including independent therapists and smaller counselling organisations such as Hammock Counselling that offer structured weekly therapy sessions.

How much does BetterHelp cost in the UK?

Publicly available information suggests that BetterHelp typically costs between £50 and £80 per week, billed every four weeks. Prices can vary depending on location and subscription arrangements.

What is the difference between subscription therapy and weekly sessions?

Some online platforms use a subscription model, where clients pay a monthly fee for access to therapy services.

Other counselling services offer regular weekly sessions with a therapist at a fixed time, which can help create continuity, routine, and a consistent therapeutic relationship.