Not sure where to start?

Counselling Directory was set up to connect those in distress with a wealth of information and the ability to search for the most suitable counsellor. If you're not sure where to start, this page offers some useful tips on how to make the most of the website. Our Search, Find, Connect motto helps to break things down:

› Search

Firstly, have a look through the Types of Distress section. Here you'll be able to find out about the different types of distress counselling can help with. You may know there is something you wish to change in your life but you've never put a name to it before; this section highlights the symptoms, causes and available help for different types of distress. Of course there are many more reasons you may wish to seek help that may not be listed in this section, which you can discuss with any professional listed on the website.

The Therapies section explains the different techniques counsellors use during sessions. You may find one more appealing than the other, and it's useful to know how therapy is tailored to different needs. Each professional will use different approaches, so it can be helpful to understand what they mean.

The FAQ's section is full of useful frequently asked questions that our visitors want to know. If you are new to counselling, this section may be useful to read through.

› Find

Once you have read through all the relevant information, you may decide you'd like to see a counsellor. If so, type your postcode, town or county into the Search Box at the top right of this page to find a counsellor in your area. Once you have a list of counsellors in your area, you may also refine your search by type of distress, type of therapy, type of session and keyword.

There are a number of things to consider when finding the most suitable counsellor:

Location

It's often best to select a counsellor/psychotherapist relatively near to where you live to ensure you stay committed to the sessions. However you may feel more comfortable visiting a therapist away from your home town, so the choice is yours.

Type of distress

Read each profile page to see how much experience the counsellor/psychotherapist has in the area of counselling you'd like to have (e.g. stress or anxiety). Some may specialise in a certain area, however the majority of counsellors/psychotherapists listed on the website offer counselling for a variety of areas.

Professional Bodies

Decide if you'd rather see a counsellor/psychotherapist who is a member of a professional body. Counsellors/psychotherapists who are members of a professional body will make this clear on their profile under the Member Organisation(s) heading.

You may also wish to decide if you'd rather see a counsellor/psychotherapist that is registered/accredited with their professional body. . If a practitioner is registered/accredited with a professional body, this means they must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation. Counsellors/psychotherapists who are registered/accredited with their professional body will display the 'Registered/Accredited' badge. To find out more about professional bodies click here.

Qualifications

You may want to know how qualified the counsellor/psychotherapist is; details of different qualifications can be found on the what training, qualifications and experience should counsellors/psychotherapists have? page.

Therapies offered

Counsellors and psychotherapists can use a number of different therapies. Although all can be effective, you may find one approach more appealing than another, or find that some approaches are better for a certain type of distress than others.

Fees

Fees may be important to your decision. Fees can range from free (some charities or organisations sometimes offer free counselling) up to around £90 per 50 minute session. Fees often depend on the location (e.g. London will usually be more expensive) and the experience of the counsellor/psychotherapist. On average, expect to pay about £35 - £45 per 50 minute session. Some counsellors and psychotherapists may offer initial sessions free or reductions for the unemployed or those on a low income, so it's always worth asking.

Full profiles

The reason each counsellor/psychotherapist has an entire page to display their profile is so you can get a feel for their background and personality - the more comfortable you feel with your therapist, the more successful the therapy will usually be. You may also want to think about whether you'd be more comfortable with a male or female, and consider how important it may be for them to speak a different language.

› Connect

Counselling or psychotherapy is an important step forward, so take your time and read about as many counsellors and psychotherapists as you wish before deciding upon one that best suits your individual needs. You may also want to contact a number of practitioners to find out more before making your final decision. Contact details can be found for each counsellor/psychotherapist on their profile page. The most important thing is that you are comfortable with your choice and feel you can connect with your counsellor or psychotherapist.

Have a read of our Personal Experiences to find out how counselling has benefited others.