Finding a therapist

Finding a therapist: how to access counselling and psychotherapy

Navigating life’s challenges can be difficult and there should not be a stigma in asking for support. This is where psychotherapists and counsellors can be helpful. Understanding yourself better and talking through what is troubling you can have a positive effect.

There are different kinds of counsellors and psychotherapists; some specialise in particular issues and have different approaches, but they should all be trained to meet you where you are emotionally, understand the problems you are experiencing, and help you find ways forward.

Counsellors and psychotherapists are not regulated in law, which means anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist without having sufficiently rigorous training. Working with untrained practitioners can put you at risk of receiving unsafe therapy with no procedures if you want to report this. It’s crucial when looking for a therapist, that you look for someone who is registered with an organisation that has a Voluntary Accredited Register with the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA), an independent regulatory body for the health and social care profession. This assures that the practitioner has undertaken a high level of training, works ethically and has sufficient competence.

All counsellors and psychotherapists on a PSA Voluntary Accredited Register are required to:

be trained and professionally registered
work safely and abide by an ethical code
receive regular supervision
have professional insurance
be committed to equality, diversity and ongoing learning.

Learn more about the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Voluntary Accredited Register scheme

Visit the PSA

Counsellors and psychotherapists can be found in many places, including online. However, many of these places advertise or list practitioners that are not on a PSA register and therefore may not be adequately trained, supervised or insured. So, remember, whether it is a local advert or a social media post , it is important to ask the therapist which Accredited Register they are a member of, and check this on the relevant website (you can find links to Accredited Registers for counselling and psychotherapy below).

You should feel like you can talk openly with your therapist. It’s an important relationship. The counsellor or psychotherapist will also be thinking about whether they can help you. Together, you can decide whether you can work well together and can then make an agreement to move forward.

Finding NHS and private therapists

There are NHS practitioners, and your GP can make a referral for you. However, the services on offer within the NHS can be limited, and there may be long waiting lists, especially for forms of longer-term support for more challenging life circumstances and mental health issues. Services like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT) may be available to you depending on your symptoms, find out more here.

If you’re able to pay and feel like you can’t wait for therapy, or want more choice about who you see and what type of counselling or psychotherapy you can have, you can refer yourself to an independent /private counsellor or psychotherapist or to a local or community-based counselling service. Some services offer therapy at a reduced fee if you are prepared to work with a therapist that’s still in training. Some people may have access to counselling and psychotherapy through an employer or private healthcare provider. You do not need a GP referral to refer yourself via any of these routes.

Need mental health support now?

Whether you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, these organisations can provide confidential support, advice and guidance when you need it most.

You are not alone and help is available.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 999 in the UK. You can also contact your local mental health crisis team. Please search mental health crisis team online and include your postcode if you need to talk to someone straight away.

Get support

Samaritans

Papyrus young suicide prevention

Suicide Prevention UK

Campaign Against Living Miserably

Rethink Mental Illness

The PCPB is the Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies, all of whom have PSA registers and online listings of their members, the links to these are shown below.

The PCPB produced the SCoPEd framework which outlines the core training, practice and competency requirements for counsellors and psychotherapists working with adults.

When you choose a counsellor or psychotherapist whose professional body has a PSA Voluntary Accredited Register and follows the SCoPEd framework, you can feel confident that you’re working with someone who is qualified, accountable and trusted to support you.