Finding the Right Therapist for You

Where to start

Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming — there are so many different approaches, qualifications, and price points to consider. The good news is that the most important factor in therapy isn't the modality a therapist uses; it's the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist.

Questions to ask yourself

Before you begin searching, it can help to reflect on a few questions:

• What am I hoping to get from therapy?
• Do I have a preference for a particular approach (e.g. CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic)?
• Do I want short-term or longer-term work?
• Are there any practical considerations — location, cost, availability?

Checking qualifications

In the UK, therapy is currently an unregulated profession, which means anyone can technically call themselves a therapist. That's why it's important to look for practitioners who are registered with a recognised professional body such as the BACP, UKCP, or BABCP.

The first session

Most therapists offer an initial consultation — sometimes free, sometimes at a reduced rate — so you can get a sense of whether you feel comfortable with them before committing to ongoing work. Trust your instincts: if something doesn't feel right, it's perfectly okay to try someone else.