Comparison guide
CBT vs Counselling: what's the difference?
Both CBT and counselling are proven talking therapies — they just work in different ways. Here's a plain-English guide to help you choose, and a summary of what each costs in the UK.
Last reviewed by the Online CBT Counselling clinical team.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Structured, goal-oriented, evidence-based
- Typically 6–20 weekly sessions
- Focus on thoughts, feelings, behaviours
- Homework and skills practice between sessions
- Strong evidence for anxiety, OCD, depression, PTSD
Counselling
- Open, exploratory, relationship-led
- Duration flexible — weeks to months or longer
- Space to make sense of experience and emotion
- Less structured, more led by the client
- Well-suited to grief, life change, relationships, identity
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between CBT and counselling?
CBT is a structured, short-term therapy that focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches practical tools to change unhelpful patterns. Counselling is a broader talking therapy that gives you space to explore what you are experiencing and understand it more deeply, often over a longer period.
Which is better for anxiety, CBT or counselling?
For most anxiety difficulties — including panic, health anxiety, social anxiety and generalised worry — CBT has the strongest evidence base and is the NHS's first-line recommendation. Counselling can still be helpful, especially where anxiety is tied to grief, life transitions or relationship issues.
Is CBT quicker than counselling?
Usually yes. A typical course of CBT is 6–20 weekly sessions with a clear focus and homework between sessions. Counselling is often more open-ended and can continue for months or years depending on what you want to work through.
Do I have to choose one or the other?
No. Many of our therapists are qualified in both and blend approaches based on what you need. You can also start with one and move to the other, or work with different therapists for different issues.
How much does CBT or counselling cost in the UK?
Private CBT in the UK typically costs £60–£120 per 60-minute session. At Online CBT Counselling, every online session — CBT or counselling — is £68 for 60 minutes, with no subscription and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Not sure which suits you?
Our matching tool suggests therapists who work in the approach best suited to what you're going through — CBT, counselling, or both.
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