Private Counselling and Therapy in Cardiff
Whether you’re facing a specific challenge or just not feeling like yourself, we can provide a safe, non-judgemental space to talk.
You might be processing a painful experience from the past, struggling with low mood or self-esteem, finding it hard to manage anxious thoughts, going through a bereavement, or simply feeling like you need some support. Whatever has brought you here, that’s what we’re here to help with.
We offer face to face therapy from our Cardiff counselling centre, nestled in the beautiful suburb of Roath, as well as online for individuals, couples and children age 7+.
Why people in Cardiff choose Platfform for private therapy
- BACP Accredited Counselling Service, the gold standard for professional counselling in the UK
- 35+ years of experience supporting people across Cardiff and Wales
- Large, diverse team of therapists and we match you with the right person for you
- 4,000+ people supported to date
- Autism-friendly organisation with specialised team training from Autistic Minds
- Therapy in different languages, including Welsh and BSL
- Social enterprise, all profits reinvested into Platfform’s wider charity work
EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL counsellors
How to start therapy in cardiff
1. Book first appointment
Get started via our online booking. You'll complete a short form as part of the process, it only takes a few minutes.
2. Assessment (30 mins)
One of our experienced therapists will take time to understand what you're going through. They'll listen carefully and recommend the type of support that will help most, then match you with the right counsellor.
3. Start Counselling
Most people start regular sessions within a few days of their assessment. Face-to-face in Cardiff, online, or by phone, whichever suits you.
How can counselling be helpful?
Sometimes we can struggle with our mental health, it’s part of being human. Taking the time to explore your thoughts and feelings can help to gain clarity about what you are going through. Talking about how you are feeling, and why you’re feeling it, can lead to a better understanding of the things that add to and shape you, and help support your wellbeing.
Booking is easy
If you don’t know what type of therapy could help you, that’s OK. The first step is to book an assessment, where we’ll talk to you to find out what kind of counselling will work best.
It’s important to have the right therapist who understands you. Assessments are done by our lead counsellors, who have a lot of knowledge, and know our team well. They’ll guide you through the entire process and pair you with a counsellor best suited to your needs. Usually, you can start counselling within days after your assessment.
We have worked with over 4000 people
"My counsellor was excellent at supporting me through difficult moments and listened carefully to my thoughts and feelings"
"I have appreciated a listening ear. It has been helpful to me when everything seems so confused and helpless. Small steps can eventually make a big difference"
"My wonderful counsellor actively listened to all my issues without judgement and offered genuine support which helped me no end"
"My counsellor provided a safe space for me to explore and reflect - I always felt validated"
Our Cardiff therapy space
We’re based at 1 Pen-y-Lan Road, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 3PG, a welcoming space just a short distance from the city centre.
Roath is one of Cardiff’s most accessible neighbourhoods. We’re easy to reach by bus, with Cardiff Bus routes serving Newport Road and City Road nearby, both a short walk away. Free street parking is also available close by.
Find us on maps
How can therapy be helpful for you?
- Provides a safe, non-judgmental space to talk through thoughts, feelings, and concerns
- A set time and space for reflection, self-exploration, growth, and healing
- Develop coping strategies for managing life’s challenges
- Gain increased self-awareness and reasons why you may act or think the way you do
- Clarity in your values, goals and priorities leading to confident decision making
- Identify and challenge negative patterns of behaviours and thoughts.
- Navigate life changes such as a divorce, your career, or coping with loss
Looking for Psychotherapy in Cardiff?
We do have registered psychotherapists on our team, however, the terms ‘counsellor’ and ‘psychotherapist’ are widely used interchangeably and our experienced counsellors offer the same quality of professional talking therapy.
Our therapists work with you as a person and draw on a wide range of approaches, including humanistic, integrative, trauma-informed, and cognitive behavioural approaches.
Not sure what type of therapy is right for you? That’s OK—we’ll work together to find the best approach and therapist for you.
Frequently asked questions
We offer a range of counselling and talking therapies including person-centred counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), integrative therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. Our team will work with you to find the right type of support based on your needs.
Private counselling sessions start from £60 per hour. The initial assessment session is £30.
Because we’re a social enterprise, all profits are reinvested into Platfform’s charity work supporting over 9,000 people a year across Wales.
We are based in Cardiff, Swansea and beyond.
Yes. Some of our counsellors have specific training in particular areas but the majority of counsellors will work with people wherever they are. We look at your situation, your challenges, your goals and you as a person.
We are an autism-friendly organisation, and the team have received specialised training from Autistic Minds. This could be amending the lighting or offering a separate waiting room depending on your needs.
Counselling can be a useful part of making positive changes in your life. But it’s not a quick ‘fix’ – it can take time and be challenging. It’s also important to have an open mind and realistic expectations.
Usually, people choose to have counselling because they are going through a difficult time, experiencing distress, or struggling with their mental health. There might be difficult life events taking place, like bereavement, divorce, redundancy, health issues and stress. Or you might feel that you’re generally having a tough time at the moment. Our counsellors can work with people facing all kinds of challenges.
You may also prefer to have counselling online, over the phone or face to face (available in Cardiff). Everyone is different. Some people find it’s easier to talk to a counsellor in person, and some feel they can open up more from the comfort of their own home.
Absolutely! We offer flexible options including in-person, online (via secure video), or telephone sessions. You can choose the format that feels most comfortable and accessible for you.
The assessment lasts about 30 minutes and takes place with one of our counsellors, who will ask you questions about what led you to therapy. This helps the counsellor see what kind of therapy would work best for you.
At this session, we won’t take a detailed look at your concerns or goals. We’ll just talk a little bit about your background and the things that have led up to you contacting us. This, together with any previous experience of counselling that you have had, will help to match you to the right counsellor.
Our large team of professional counsellors specialise in many types of talking therapies. Everyone on the team is registered with a professional body (like BACP, UKCP or similar) meaning they’ve met the required professional standards to work as a counsellor.
Where counselling or psychotherapy is not appropriate or we don’t have the appropriate skills, we will refer clients to suitable agencies.
While we don’t currently have registered psychotherapists on our team, our qualified counsellors and therapists offer a wide range of talking therapies, including person-centred, integrative, and trauma-informed approaches.
Many people use the terms counsellor and psychotherapist interchangeably, and our team provides the same level of professional, compassionate support to help you with whatever you’re facing.
Yes. We have counsellors who can work in Welsh and British Sign Language (BSL), and we do our best to meet accessibility needs. Let us know what support you require when you get in touch.
Ready to start counselling?
Take the first step with us. Choose a day and time that suits you – online, over the phone or face to face.