The Awareness Centre - Counselling & Psychotherapy - London

Amy G.

I booked my first appointment on a Wednesday for the Sunday. I turned up on time on Sunday after a 30 minute walk in the heat at 6 months pregnant and the therapist was not there. The receptionist initially tried contacting them but the number on file was incorrect. After 15-20 minutes of waiting contact was made and it turned out the therapist wouldn’t even start working for the clinic for another week. I asked how the appointments were even confirmed and it seems it’s some archaic method of the therapists occasionally manually replying to an appointment booked for them via email, but they don’t always do this. It seems like spending money on better software that actually confirms appointment acceptance is needed.

I was told by the receptionist that she would deal with my refund and it would come back to me automatically. When I noticed it hadn’t I called up and was told they couldn’t issue my refund at the moment. I was called back later that day for the refund and had to go through to annoyance of giving my card details once again. I felt a bit annoyed about the language used on the call: “when we offer a refund” as if I was being done a favour and wasn’t actually fully entitled to my money back for a service not rendered. I also shouldn’t have been the one to have to chase this up myself.

It took me years to book my first therapy appointment, and I don’t see myself ever trying again with any provider because the experience was just awful.

Foodie I.

I don’t want to waste more time writing. In short, stay away from here. Rude management, no ethics.

Gareth C.

I just completed a round of Talk Therapy here with Asta Brandes. I can't recommend her highly enough.
She offered a compassionate and thoughtful space to talk about my thoughts and offered constructive and insightful advice where appropriate.
The reception staff were always efficient and welcoming.
I opted for the cheaper sessions at £35 and feel they were definitely worth the money.

Sinthia T.

Highly recommended and most professional service which consists of carefully vetted clinicians who have been helping clients with various presenting issues for many years now. The booking system is ever so easy and The Awareness Centre team are helpful, knowledgable, polite and understanding. The Awareness Centre provides high quality service in a safe, non judgemental place where confidentiality is paramount. I cannot speak more highly of them.

Julie A.

I had my teenage daughter come here and I have to say I was really disappointed. The therapist we had was inexperienced and had no clue how to help my daughter, she would come out of sessions worse than when she went in and felt like there was no hope.
The therapist we had even if qualified had no where near enough experience to deal with such a delicate situation. I feel there is a reason this place charges less than other places and that’s because they use trainees and they should make this very clear. A full and thorough profile of each of the therapists should be on the website, showing qualifications and years in practice. I was new and naive when starting this journey.
I may get a response from the centre stating they have no record of me but that’s because I do not share the same surname as my daughter.
This centre may have been great for some but for my daughter it definitely was not.

Kelly G.

The Awareness Centre offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone to access talking therapies, from low cost for people on lower incomes through to the other end of the spectrum. Over many years, the Awareness Centre has carved out its name as a leading provider of therapeutic services in South London.

Wayne G.

This place uses trainees as cheap labour (and actually free labour) to run IAPT contracts for which it receives public funds. They are all about making money. And be careful about the positive reviews on here. For instance, Kelly Garrett is listed on its own website as the Clinical Director of The Awareness Centre.

Mehran B.

I was very impressed with this local centre for counseling services - they have low cost options for those who may be struggling financially, and a wide range of different therapies/services are offered. Would
recommend!