HOW TO FIND A THERAPIST

FINDING THE ONE

THERE are many different styles of therapy. Some focus on relieving your symptoms, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), while others, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, delve into your past to help you understand yourself and move forward. Many are a mix of the two.

Therapists also regularly incorporate elements such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques or hypnotherapy into sessions. They may have areas of special training, such as couples counselling, addictions, eating disorders and bereavement, too. Therapists are very tied to their style, but for the client, the key thing is building a relationship with them. It’s therefore important that you think about what sort of person you would like to talk to.

If you find someone you like the look of, send an email or phone for a chat. Many therapists will see or talk to potential clients for free for an initial session.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

LOCATION is important too. You don’t want to bump into your therapist in your local Tesco, but you don’t want to travel too far, either. Most want to see clients every week, at least initially — or you can use Skype, email or phone.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

IT VARIES a lot: in London, £65-£120 for 50 minutes; elsewhere, from £30.

TAKING THE FIRST STEP

LOOK for members of professional therapy associations such as the BACP and UK Council for Psychotherapy, which have directories. Or go to welldoing.org.