Choosing a Private Therapist

This blog is designed to help people who are considering having therapy of some kind but are not sure how to do that, or whether therapy is right for them at this time. 


In this first entry I want to help those who have decided they want private therapy but don't know who to ask:-

1. Go to the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) website: www.bacp.co.uk
2. Click on the "Seeking a Therapist" button on the right hand side of the home page.
3. Enter your postcode in the box where prompted. There are other search criteria you can enter if you are clear about what you want, but if you don't then its fine to leave them blank.
4. Click on the "Search Now" button at the bottom. This should display a list of therapists in your area starting with those nearest to you.
5. Select the ones you are interested in, say, between 3 & 5 options, by clicking on the box next to each entry. If you are not sure, just choose those nearest to you. As a form of "kite mark" I would recommend you choose only therapists who have listed next to their Profile: BACP accredited and/or UKCP registered as they are the 2 foremost organisations for the profession.
6. When you have selected those you are interested in, click on the "View Selected Profiles" button at the top or bottom of the page. This will give you the contact details for the therapists you have selected. 
7. Make a note of their telephone numbers. Some people prefer to contact the therapist by email and the option is there for you to click a button and do that directly if you wish. 
8. I recommend that you talk to each of the therapists you have selected on the phone as that will give you important information to help you choose YOUR preferred therapist. Feel free to ask them questions about the therapy they offer, what experience they have of dealing with your kind of issue, ease of parking etc. Let them know that you are shopping around at this stage before making up your mind. You are under no commitment to attend or pay at this stage.
9. Trust your gut feelings as to whom you would feel most comfortable opening up to about the most difficult feelings you have. If your gut feel is that none of the options are right for you, extend your search to take in more options. If you remain undecided, consider having an initial session with more than one therapist - do let them know that is what you are doing. It can be difficult to decide from several possible options even after speaking to them. In that case, I would recommend you choose the most convenient one for you as they are both likely to be able to be of use to you.
10. Contact your preferred therapist to arrange your sessions.

Sometimes, it can feel too daunting to pick up the phone and talk to a stranger. Remember, if they answer in a manner which is not to your liking for whatever reason, you are perfectly free to choose another therapist. 


If you have any questions about this blog or any of the issues raised please feel free to contact me via my website: http://www.garycooktherapy.co.uk