Increasing accessibility to therapy to those who need it most
Accessible, responsive and effective services are required for everyone in need. We and our members understand the need to increase access to therapy and therefore on top of our reduced fee training patient scheme, and in spite of limited resources, we aim to do all we can to offer additional support for those suffering from psychological distress but who cannot afford to pay full therapy fees.
Orchard Therapy
Orchard Therapy is a SIP member-led initiative, that first started in 2020, during the first lockdowns of the pandemic. Via Orchard Therapy, SIP members undertake to provide 10 free online therapy sessions with patients that have been referred through a number of Bristol based GP surgeries.
Over 400 patients have received therapy through this initiative so far. While it’s no magic bullet, it has been largely appreciated by the patients who have accessed psychotherapy via this scheme, as well as leading to further therapy for some.
Resources are limited and the scheme is only open to referrals twice each year. Please note Orchard Therapy is closed to self-referrals and only accepts those received via our partner GP surgeries.
We are proud of our members who have developed this initiative and we fully support its intentions and ambitions. We ask that others consider supporting and donating to Orchard Therapy. Donations will support the ongoing work of Severnside's free and low-cost therapy initiatives.
Low Cost Clinic - pilot scheme
SIP launched the Low Cost Clinic pilot scheme in the autumn of 2025. The scheme provides two-year, once-weekly sessions for face-to-face psychodynamic psychotherapy to those who have not accessed long-term psychotherapy before and to whom cost, among other concerns, has been a prohibitive factor.
All therapists are qualified, BPC registered psychodynamic and psychoanalytic practitioners, and are supportive of the charitable aims of the scheme. The two-year pilot is offered in fulfilment of SIP's commitment to providing affordable therapy to under-represented groups - in a way that forms an integrated part of the day-to-day functioning of the organisation.
The Low Cost Clinic reflects the realistic cost of living and what counts as affordable therapy today. As such, it will be open to people whose income is at or below the level of the Real Living Wage. When they are accepted into the Clinic, patients will be asked to make a contribution, according to their means, to the cost of the therapist’s fee, with the minimum contribution being £5 per weekly session over a period of two years.
With the pilot scheme now underway, the next proposal is to expand the clinic in terms of numbers and community reach. If you feel able to contribute to this endeavour, or would like to find out more about the project, please contact us at: severnsidelowcostclinic@gmail.com.
Please note: the clinic is currently full and unable to receive new applications.