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’ll offer some pointers on the basics, like understanding levels of qualification, modality, and experience of practitioners, as well as some musings on what might work well for you—and I’ll highlight some different approaches that can inform your decision

To start with, are you looking for a counsellor or a therapist? What even is the difference? That’s a great question! In truth, though a psychotherapist will generally have received more education in their field than a counsellor, the terms are often used interchangeably. In the UK, a Level 5 diploma, often expressed as Couns. Dip., means the practitioner has achieved the necessary qualification to support you. Further education, such as a Level 6 degree, is usually denoted by a BA (Hons), followed by a Level 7, Master’s qualification (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 (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy, I’m looking at you), but they represent two of the more prominent organisations in the field. Providing the practitioner you’re considering has one or more of the aforementioned qualifications, and is a member of an ethical body, at a minimum you can be confident that they have received the requisite training and their work with you should adhere to the guidelines of the body to which they belong.

In the next section, we will look at different therapeutic approaches and how they will impact what might expect to experience on your therapeutic journey.