Plymouth’s new pay-what-you-can counselling clinic opens at Marjon

Released: 15.04.24

Plymouth Marjon University is pleased to announce the opening of its newest service, the Marjon Counselling Clinic, dedicated to offering accessible and affordable counselling services to the community through its pay-what-you-can funding model. 

The Marjon Counselling Clinic aims to extend support to individuals aged 18 and older with the convenience of self-referral through the clinic's dedicated webpage. The service runs on a pay-what-you-can model, hoping to provide support for everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. The suggested donation is £15 per session, and donations will be used to develop and widen access to the Counselling Clinic. 

The Clinic will be staffed by third-year Undergraduate and Master's level students currently completing their counselling studies at the University. Each student counsellor is required to be a student member of either the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), ensuring adherence to professional standards. 

"Our objective is to address the city-wide demand for accessible and affordable counselling through our new clinic," said Clinic Manager and Marjon Alumni, Mel Benson.  

"The aim is to connect community members, who may otherwise face long waits, with timely and cost-effective therapy. This clinic is designed to bridge a crucial service gap and seeks to establish connections with other community services. By providing students with a well-supported opportunity, we aim to cultivate their counselling practice and contribute to the university's establishment as a pioneering hub for counselling and research." 

Professor Saul Bloxham, Dean of the School of Health and Wellbeing at Marjon, added: 

“The Marjon Counselling Clinic adds another service to our broad range of public health services, informed by research and led by students. Our clinics improve the community’s access to health and care settings and support our students’ learning and development.” 

The Marjon Counselling Clinic will provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for clients to openly discuss their difficulties and issues. Emphasising a compassionate and inclusive approach, the clinic will value and respect everyone's unique background and circumstances. 

Plymouth Marjon University has a variety of public-facing clinics, enabling the Plymouth community to access inexpensive, quality care. Settings include an Osteopathy Clinic, Physiotherapy Clinic, Memory Café, Lower Limb Clinic, and Cancer Pre-hab and Re-hab Clinics. 

The Marjon Counselling Clinic aims to become a centre of knowledge, partnerships, and training, serving as a space for counselling students and professionals to share information and experiences. 

The clinic is eager to build partnerships and establish connections within the local community. Organisations or services interested in collaboration are encouraged to reach out to the clinic via email at counsellingclinic@marjon.ac.uk. 

Find more information about the Marjon Counselling Clinic here.