What to look for when accessing therapy?

What do I need?

It’s important to clearly define your reasons for seeking therapy. This involves identifying the specific issues you want to address during your sessions. Having clear goals or objectives can help you find a therapist or facility that specializes in the areas you need support with.

Qualifications and Experience

There are many approaches to therapy, including Humanistic, Psychodynamic, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), among others.
It is important to do your own research, to understand what therapy you think aligns with you and how you will engage in therapeutic process.

Practical Implications

Consider your specific needs, the location of the therapy (whether online or face-to-face), and whether the cost fits within your budget. Also, think about how therapy will fit into your weekly schedule, balancing it with work and family commitments. Remember it is not just about fitting it in, but also allowing yourself space before and after therapy time to process.
When I was in therapy, I used to have a ritual of going for a coffee following a session this allowed me to come back into the world, at my own pace and process how I had found the session, I really recommend find something important that grounds you following therapy.

Is it right for me?

Therapy should feel right for you. If you start therapy and feel uncomfortable, it’s crucial to address these feelings during your sessions. Open communication with your therapist about any discomfort can help identify and resolve issues, ensuring the therapy process is effective and supportive. If the discomfort persists, it might be necessary to consider finding a different therapist who better suits your needs and with whom you feel more at ease. Remember, the therapeutic relationship is a key component of successful therapy, and feeling comfortable and understood is essential for your progress.
Over time I have found the importance of being open and transparent during therapy, being able to articulate my views on my treatment was very important
and enabled that I had less obstacles for me to get to where I wanted to be.

Get Recommendations

Word of mouth and testimony are so important in the world of therapy. Ask friends or family, who have been in therapy or people they recommend.
The process of having these questions can help to remove stigma around therapy or Mental Health and can help to broaden communication around psychological health.

Using counselling directories

Searching official directories like ‘Psychology Today’ ‘Counselling Directory’ ‘BACP Find A therapist’ these platforms can help you to streamline different modes of therapy, price and location. It can also allow you to compare, and seek availability to find the right fit for you before you reach out to book an assessment.

I hope that these points may help during the research process of looking for a therapist. If I can help at all or answer any questions do please get in touch, I am offering free introductory assessments prior to commencing therapy. If this is something of interest please do get in touch to book in.

Thank you

James