Choosing a therapist in London: questions worth asking

Titles in therapy can be confusing. A few straightforward questions will tell you far more than a directory listing.

In the UK, the title counselling psychologist is protected and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. Counsellor and psychotherapist are not protected titles, although many excellent practitioners are accredited through bodies such as the BACP or UKCP. It is always reasonable to ask who a therapist is registered with and to check the register yourself.

Questions I would ask

What approaches do you use, and why would you suggest that one for me? How many sessions do people usually have for something like this? How will we know whether it is working? What is your cancellation policy? Do you have experience with the particular thing I am struggling with?

A good therapist will welcome these questions and answer them plainly. If someone promises to fix you in a fixed number of sessions, or cannot explain how they work, that is worth noticing.

Fit matters more than credentials

Research on therapy outcomes consistently points to the relationship between client and therapist as one of the strongest predictors of progress. Qualifications tell you someone is safe and trained. A first conversation tells you whether you can imagine being honest with them.

It is fine to have an initial consultation with two or three people before deciding. Any therapist worth seeing will understand.

If cost is a barrier, you can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies in most London boroughs without seeing your GP first.