Our editorial process

How we create our content 

The editorial team are responsible for the content published on our site, and they are supported by our trusted members, the mental health professionals you see listed on our directory.

You will see our information pages are typically written by our in-house team, who then get an expert to review our information before publishing. Our articles section is predominantly written by members of our directory, with each piece being proofread, vetted and edited by us.

Our editorial standards 

Within all the content we publish, we are committed to the following standards:

• clear, easy-to-understand language
• a sensitive and stigma-free approach
• inclusive terminology
• evidence-based, accurate and expert-reviewed content

To showcase our dedication, we hold the esteemed status of a PIF TICK 'trusted information creator'. This accreditation was awarded to us in February 2023 by the PIF TICK, the UK’s only assessed quality mark for print and online health and care information.

In order to earn the distinction of being a 'trusted information creator', the Counselling Directory team completed a rigorous evaluation process to show how we adhere to the criteria set out by the Patient Information Forum (PIF). This signifies that our readers can have complete confidence that the content they encounter, whether in written, visual, or audio form, is grounded in evidence, presented in a jargon-free way, kept current, and produced to the highest quality standards.

The PIF TICK initiative was launched in May 2020 and is run by the non-profit Patient Information Forum (PIF). 

Writing and editorial style

Throughout our content, we strive to be person-centred and empathetic. We aim for an approachable, yet knowledgeable tone; this means a careful combination of factual, data-led information with encouraging and understanding language.

Being inclusive in our language is of the utmost importance, as we know mental health concerns can affect anyone at any time. We monitor all feedback and react quickly if we ever miss the mark with content we’ve published.

Use of imagery

Any use of imagery we employ is considered and purposeful. We opt for relatable images over stereotypes and invoke sensitivity as needed. We maintain awareness of industry guidelines around the use of imagery to ensure we are representing our readers in the most helpful way possible.

Like with our language, we are inclusive with our imagery, showcasing the incredible and diverse society we exist in. 

Our editorial team 

Meet the dedicated people who make up the editorial team:

Ellen Lees - Head of Content

Ellen has been a vital part of Happiful since 2015. As Head of Content for Happiful and our five wellbeing directories, she steers the editorial team ship, ensuring excellence at every turn. Ellen is deeply committed to ensuring that our content maintains the highest standards and provides invaluable support to those seeking information on mental health and wellness. Ellen's passion lies in crafting engaging yet accessible content that reaches a broader audience.

Kat Nicholls - Brand and Integrity Manager

Kat has been an integral member of the Happiful team since 2013. In her role as Brand and Integrity Manager, Kat helps to get the Happiful story into the wider world while ensuring we practice what we preach with integrity at our core. She is responsible for ensuring our proof policies remain robust and collaborates with industry professional bodies. Kat’s work involves brand advocacy, appearing at events, interviews and even hosting our own podcast, Happiful: Finding What Works. Internally, she also heads up our corporate wellness team, arranging training sessions for staff and advising management and HR as needed.

Becky Banham - Member Engagement and Communications Lead

Becky joined our team in 2016 and holds the position of Member Engagement and Communications Lead. In this role, Becky manages our key member communication touchpoints, including our newsletter and professional online networking groups. Driving member engagement, Becky creates resources to help members thrive with us and helps them make use of the support we offer in terms of marketing. Becky plays a pivotal role in helping our professionals reach their intended audience so those in need get the right support.

Bonnie Gifford - Creative Content Writer and Editor

Bonnie, an adept writer with a keen eye for detail, joined Happiful in 2017. She takes responsibility for crafting our information pages and monitoring site-wide content performance, ensuring we adhere to best standards at all times. This dedication results in innovative content across the Happiful brands and products, ensuring that our readers receive fresh, accurate and relevant information.

Emily Whitton - Content and Multimedia Editor

Emily became part of the Happiful team in 2022. Her role involves overseeing all content written and created by our brilliant professional members. This includes expert-authored articles and multimedia content like videos and audio downloads. Emily also guides our members in this process, helping them connect with those in need through their content.

How to share your feedback 

If you’ve read, watched or listened to our information and have any feedback to share, you are very welcome to get in touch. On our information pages, you will see a feedback button at the bottom, where you can fill in a short form to tell us what you think of that page.

For other types of content, you can email us at: content@counselling-directory.org.uk. Any feedback we receive is captured, monitored and reviewed. 

At Counselling Directory, we are not just a source of information; we are your ally on the journey to mental well-being, providing support, clarity, and expertise. Thank you for entrusting us with your mental health and wellness exploration.