Free tool
Take-home pay calculator
Wondering what counselling actually pays once tax and running costs come out? Enter your own figures below. This calculator starts with the example from our article on making a living as a counsellor, and you can change every number to match your own practice.
Private by design. Everything you enter stays in your browser. Nothing you type here is sent to us, saved anywhere, or seen by anyone else. Close the tab and it's gone.
This example matches the figures in our make-a-living article.
Take-home pay illustration
Enter your figures to see the breakdown.
Illustrative take-home pay
Scottish taxpayers pay Income Tax at different rates and bands. This estimate uses the rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so if you pay Scottish Income Tax your figure will differ. Check gov.uk for Scottish rates.
With these figures your running costs are equal to or greater than your income, so there is no profit to tax. Try adjusting your client hours, fee, or costs.
Where the money goes
Estimate only, based on your figures and 2025-26 rates.
View running-cost breakdown
Next steps, if they help. Working out a fair session fee is the other half of this picture. Try our fee calculator for counsellors to sanity-check the fee you have entered above. And if you would value a conversation about building a sustainable practice, Therapy Support is here when you need it. No pressure, and this tool stays free either way.
Read more on making a living as a counsellor.
This is an illustration, not a forecast. The figures shown are a calculation based only on the numbers you enter. They are not a projection, forecast, promise or guarantee of earnings, and your actual income and tax will differ. The tax and National Insurance figures are estimates for the 2025-26 tax year for a self-employed sole trader in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, assuming this is your only taxable income, a standard personal allowance, and no other reliefs, pension contributions or student loan repayments. Tax rules change and individual circumstances vary. This tool does not provide tax, accountancy or financial advice. For figures you can rely on, check gov.uk or speak to a qualified accountant.
Class 2 National Insurance is treated as paid once your profits are above the small-profits threshold, so it is not charged separately here.
This is a guide to help you plan, not financial advice. The figures are yours to check against your own circumstances.