On Choosing a Therapist: Part One
As this is my first foray into blogging, I thought it might be helpful to spend some time on the important topic of choosing your therapist. I recognise that deciding you would like some support can be a huge step, and choosing which direction to move in can be challenging. This series of posts aims to clarify things a little. I will offer some pointers on the basics, including understanding levels of qualification, modality, and practitioner experience, as well as some thoughts on what might work well for you, and I will highlight different approaches that may inform your decision.
To start with, are you looking for a counsellor or a therapist? What even is the difference? That is a great question. In truth, although a psychotherapist will generally have received more extensive training than a counsellor, the terms are often used interchangeably in the UK.
A Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling is the minimum qualification required to practise as a counsellor. Many newly qualified counsellors begin their work within an agency, where they can develop experience within a supportive structure, before moving into private practice. Further training at Levels 5, 6, or 7 deepens knowledge and may be required for certain specialist roles. A Level 6 qualification is typically a BA (Hons) degree, and Level 7 corresponds to a Master’s degree (MSc).
Ethical practice also requires practitioners to be members of a professional body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (MNCPS). These are not the only ethical bodies out there, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy being another example, but they represent two of the more prominent organisations in the field. If the practitioner you are considering has one or more of the qualifications mentioned above, and is a member of an ethical body, you can be confident that they have received appropriate training and that their work should adhere to the guidelines of the organisation to which they belong.
In the next section, we will look at different therapeutic approaches and how they will impact what you might expect to experience on your therapeutic journey.
