What is talking therapy?

Friends and family can be great at giving support, but let’s face it, they often have a vested interest, and this can leave us feeling judged or overwhelmed. Therapy, counselling, and talking therapies have the same function: to provide a safe, non-judgmental space.

Therapy goes deeper than the talk and listen groups, providing you with a toolkit of strategies, healthy coping mechanisms, and increased self-awareness. Therapy can help raise or maintain your numbers. 

Our therapy services include group therapy, available both in-person (at various UK locations) and online. Therapy groups are run by a qualified therapist with a maximum of six men per group. All therapy sessions utilise the Talk Club model, which involves asking, “How are you? Out of 10?” to help men understand their feelings and assess their mental well-being. Therapy groups run over an eight-week cycle with one session per week. 

Talk Club is proud to announce the launch of a one-to-one therapy service (online only), extending our continuity of care. Sessions will be 50 minutes with either a qualified or trainee therapist. Weekly sessions are booked in blocks of eight, with the option to add four extra sessions if needed. One-to-one therapy will continue the Talk Club model of asking, “How are you? Out of 10?”

Why bother with therapy?

Everyone has mental health, just as everyone has physical health. Not everyone needs to run a marathon to stay physically fit, just as not everyone requires therapy to maintain mental well-being. However, sometimes the signs are there that we need extra help, such as consistently low numbers, low mood, sleep issues, withdrawal, people pleasing, or shouting at the dog more than usual.

Therapy isn’t a magic wand, and it won’t give you all the answers. Therapy is a deep dive into you, your identity, and your values, and also examines what brings purpose and meaning to your life.

Therapy can support you to explore any issues from anxiety, bereavement, stress connected to work, family life or relationships and much more.  Therapy can improve your self-awareness, helping you to take better care of yourself. Therapy can also help focus on the positives in your life and what is going well. 

You don’t need to attend a Talk & Listen group first; you can jump straight into Talk Club therapy, either group or one-to-one, you choose. 

No algorithms or bots here, we are a small team of real humans ready to listen to real problems. Talk Club are all about the human connection, and we will match you with a suitable Talk Club therapist or therapy group run by a qualified therapist.

Contact therapy@talkclub.org for more info, availability and how to book group therapy or one-to-one therapy. 

How much does it cost?

THERAPY GROUPS: Face-to-face (2 hours) and online (90 mins) with a fully qualified therapist. £10 per session, with a minimum donation of £80 for up to eight weeks, payable upfront before the first session begins to help the charity cover administrative costs. We offer a reduced concession rate for those who require financial assistance. Please mention this when contacting us. Each session is for two hours.

ONE-TO-ONE: (online only) with a qualified therapist, £40 per 50-minute session.

ONE-TO-ONE: (online only) with a trainee therapist, £25 per 50-minute session.

Are the sessions in person or online?

We have several online groups and face-to-face groups throughout the UK. Please keep checking back, as we’re constantly launching new therapy groups, and our new one-to-one service starts in 2025.

Please email therapy@talkclub.org for up-to-date availability.

How do I set up a Talk Club therapy group?

If you are a fully qualified therapist and would like to lead a therapy group in your area with us, please email therapy@talkclub.org to learn more. We offer our bespoke short-term psychotherapy group training online three times a year, spanning three days.

Here’s what men had to say about Talk Club therapy services:?

“The group therapy was amazing to be hosted by professional therapists”

“The group therapy sessions were valuable to me. I gained insight and practical knowledge that helped me understand some of the challenges I have.

It was great to connect with all the attendees and be in the therapeutic space.

As a TC Captain, I have recommended Group Therapy  to all the chaps who attend.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the group, the members, the process.”

“I always felt a huge calm coming away from the groups, from living a life where I believe sometimes I’m going crazy in my mind, the group and talking openly made me realise we all have our issues.”

“The hardest thing was walking in the door that first evening, after that I looked forward to Thursdays every week .”

“Personally, there was clarity in how to apply ‘tools’ I’d previously picked up, and also the opportunity to learn more, and take away areas to work on that I didn’t even know were probably playing a part in my challenges.”

“While I was at the group sessions, it became the focus of my week; I looked forward to Thursday. As the weeks went by, it felt like a trust was built within the group and was the one time each week I could let all my barriers and masks disappear and just be myself.”