How do I search for a counsellor?
Simply type your postcode, town, or county into the search box on our site, and counsellors, psychotherapists, and therapists in your area will appear. If you click on a counsellor's name, you can find out more about them, along with their contact details and fees. You'll also see some organisations listed, some of which may be able to offer you support.
You can also use the advanced search if you'd like to narrow down your search. This lets you filter results by type of therapy, type of session, what's worrying you, and keyword.
What are counselling and psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a broad term used to describe talking therapies, including counselling. Both counsellors and psychotherapists provide a service for those looking for support and treatment for a wide range of mental health and emotional concerns. The possibility that there is a difference between counselling and psychotherapy is debated in the field of mental health.
There is no universally agreed distinction between counselling and psychotherapy, and counsellors and psychotherapists can overlap considerably in how they work. The approach, length and focus of support can vary depending on the practitioner, the type of therapy they offer and your individual needs.
If you're considering counselling or psychotherapy, you may find it helpful to ask the professional about their training, approach and how they typically work with clients. How you connect with the counsellor or psychotherapist you choose can affect how successful the treatment is. It is also helpful to have a little knowledge of the different therapies on offer. Counsellors and psychotherapists can use many different therapies; some involve looking at past relationships and experiences to make sense of them, while others focus on the here and now.
For more information on counselling, view our What is counselling? page or watch the video below.
What is the difference between counselling and therapy?
The terms counselling and therapy have become used interchangeably in recent years. The NHS states that counselling is a talking therapy involving a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues.
'Counselling' and 'therapy' are often used to mean the same thing but, generally, counsellors focus on specific issues over a short period, while therapists may go 'deeper', with treatment typically over a longer period. It is common for counselling to be referred to as 'therapy' and vice-versa. Similarly, counsellors may use elements of therapy, and therapists may counsel.
What is the difference between a counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist, and psychiatrist?
There are many different terms used to describe professionals working in the mental health field, each helping in different ways. Understanding the key differences between these professionals and how they can offer support should help you decide which one is right for you if/when you decide to seek help.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatry is the study of mental illness, covering diagnosis, management and prevention. A psychiatrist must undergo full medical training as a doctor before choosing to specialise in psychiatry. Once fully trained, a psychiatrist can specialise further in general psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, elder psychiatry, psychotherapy, or child and adolescent psychiatry.
Unlike many other mental health professionals, psychiatrists can assist in medical treatment and testing as they have the appropriate training.
Psychologist
Psychology is the study of the human mind and the way we think, act and behave. In addition to how our minds work in day-to-day life, psychologists are also interested in mental health conditions. The title 'psychologist' itself is not protected by law, but several practitioner psychologist titles are, including clinical psychologist, counselling psychologist, and educational psychologist. Professionals using these protected titles must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Most psychologists fall into one of two camps: research-oriented (meaning they spend time studying how the mind works to better our understanding) or applied (meaning they apply their skills to people).
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is a term used to describe a range of talking therapies and the approaches and methods used within each type. This broad usage has led some professionals to use the titles psychotherapist and counsellor interchangeably. When we talk about a psychotherapist, we are talking about a professional who works with clients to help them overcome a range of emotional, social and mental health issues through talk therapies.
The title 'psychotherapist' is not currently protected by law in the UK. However, variations of the title are regulated by industry bodies (such as those for registered psychotherapists) and generally indicate a high level of training. Find out more on our qualifications page.
Counsellor
A counsellor uses psychotherapy to help clients develop understanding and insight into their behaviours and feelings, and to overcome difficulties. In some cases, the simple act of talking through problems with a counsellor can help the client; in other cases, a more tailored therapy approach is required. This will depend on the nature of the concern and will be assessed by the counsellor. As with 'psychotherapist', the term 'counsellor' is not currently protected by law in the UK – so you are advised to check a counsellor's experience and training to ensure they are suitably qualified.
For a more in-depth look at the differences between these professionals, please see our full page: Understanding the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, psychotherapist and counsellor.
I am still in the process of counselling. It's hard work but the benefits from it make it worthwhile. I would highly recommend counselling to anyone, I think you just need to find the right counsellor to help you talk
- Read Sophie's story.
What types of counselling and therapy are available?
Psychological therapies generally fall into the following categories: cognitive and behavioural therapies, which focus on thoughts and behaviours, psychoanalytical and psychodynamic therapies, which focus on the unconscious relationship patterns that evolved from childhood, humanistic therapies, which focus on self-development in the 'here and now', arts therapies, which use creative arts within the therapeutic process and couples counselling, which looks to resolve issues experienced by couples.
Read more about the different types of therapy and understanding which approach might be right for you.
How do I know if I need counselling?
Only you can decide whether you want to try counselling or psychotherapy, but if you are struggling to cope and are finding day-to-day life difficult, you may benefit from professional help. Talking confidentially with someone outside your circle of friends and family can give you space to explore what you're experiencing.
Counselling provides regular time to explore your feelings and talk about any problems you're experiencing. A counsellor can help you develop better ways of coping, allowing you to move forward and get the most out of life.
How do I know counsellors are qualified?
All profiles displaying our Counselling Directory Policy badge have been verified using our stringent approvals policy – this means we’ve checked that they’re registered and/or accredited by a relevant professional body in order to list their details. You can read about our verification process on our Counselling Directory policy page.
By choosing a therapist registered with a professional body, you can be reassured that they have met the training and experience standards required by that organisation. Most professional bodies also have a code of ethics that outlines how members should work, and a complaints process to follow if things don’t work out as planned.
Some professional body registers are accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). The PSA sets standards for organisations that register health and social care practitioners in unregulated professions, such as counselling and psychotherapy. Professional bodies with a register accredited by the PSA must meet its Standards for Accredited Registers. Accredited registers can display the PSA Quality Mark.
When you choose a counsellor who meets professional standards, you have confidence that your therapist has studied, meets recognised standards, and participates in ongoing professional development.
What is a professional body?
Various professional bodies (also known as member organisations) exist that have taken on the role of self-regulating counselling and psychotherapy. While counsellors and psychotherapists are under no legal obligation to become a member of a professional body, membership means they have met the requirements set by that professional body and must abide by its code of ethics and complaints procedure.
Visit our professional bodies page for more information.
What training should counsellors have?
There is no single legally required training route for counsellors in the UK. Professional bodies set their own training and registration requirements, so it's important to check that a counsellor has completed appropriate practitioner training and is registered with a recognised professional body.
View the What training, qualifications and experience should counsellors and psychotherapists have? page for specific details.
How long does each counselling session last?
Each session will usually last 50-60 minutes, depending on your chosen counsellor or psychotherapist. However, this is often flexible and should be discussed with your therapist before attending the first session.
How often will I see my counsellor?
Many counsellors and psychotherapists offer weekly sessions; however, this can vary depending on the type of therapy and your personal requirements.
Do I have to pay for counselling sessions?
All the counsellors and psychotherapists listed on Counselling Directory are private therapists and will usually charge for sessions. You can find out how much each charges by looking at the 'Fees' section on their profile page. We do also list charities, and some counsellors and organisations offer schemes where you can get free or reduced sessions, depending on your circumstances.
You may be able to access counselling or other talking therapies for free through the NHS, your employer if they offer an employee assistance programme (EAP), school/university or a charity. In England, many adults can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without speaking to a GP first.
How much does counselling cost?
The cost of private counselling varies depending on factors such as the counsellor's experience, location and the type and length of session. You can check individual counsellors' fees on their Counselling Directory profiles before getting in touch. Some counsellors also offer concessions or a free initial consultation.
If the cost of private counselling is something you're considering, you may find counsellor Helen Sargent's article on making peace with the cost of counselling useful.
How do I know which counsellor to choose?
Counselling Directory lists many counsellors and psychotherapists from all over the UK, and choosing the right one may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some counsellor-recommended questions to consider asking yourself:
- Are they qualified?
- Can I see their credentials?
- Can a trustworthy person or organisation vouch for them?
- Do I feel comfortable?
- Do I trust them?
- Are they promising the impossible?
- Are they making me feel uncomfortable?
- Where are they operating from? Even if it is online, does it look like a professional set-up?
- Would I recommend them to a friend?
Can I have counselling online?
Lots of counsellors and psychotherapists offer online and telephone counselling if you'd rather not see them face-to-face. To search for a counsellor or psychotherapist offering this service, use our online search.
Do counsellors offer workshops or events?
Some counsellors and psychotherapists offer seminars, workshops and events. Visit our local events page to find out details of any near you.
How can I find out more about counselling?
Many counsellors and psychotherapists listed on our site provide informative articles, which you may find useful. You may also be interested in the history of counselling and psychotherapy, personal experiences of counselling and psychotherapy and our useful charities section.
How can I support someone who may need counselling?
If you're worried about someone else's mental health, then you're probably wondering what you can do to help. It can be very difficult to talk about mental health and suggest counselling, so we've created a page with tips on how to handle this sensitive subject. Visit Worried about someone else? now to find out more.
I have more questions…
That’s totally fine. If you're ready to find support, you can search Counselling Directory for a counsellor or psychotherapist and filter your results by location, type of therapy and how you'd like to have sessions. If you still have a question about using the site, you can contact us.
