Find A Therapist: UK Mental Health And Therapist Resources

What are therapy and counselling?

If the time feels right for you to take actionable steps to improve your health and well-being, you may have considered talking to a therapist or counsellor. Therapy and counselling are ways for you to explore your thoughts and feelings under the guidance, support, and supervision of a qualified mental health professional in the form of talk therapy. 

Since therapists and counsellors can offer a neutral but compassionate outside perspective on your life, they’re often able to provide honest feedback and insight. Their training in the field of psychology also equips them to observe and understand complex emotions and patterns of thinking and offer strategies to help you meaningfully improve your health and well-being. A counselling and therapy session may vary in duration and frequency depending on the person and their needs, but they often range from 30–60 minutes and may take place as often as once a week.

What do therapy and counselling exercises involve?

In addition to offering a listening ear and guidance during sessions, therapists and counsellors often provide clients with techniques to practice outside of sessions too. These may make your mental health journey a more active process. These practices could be things like writing about highs and lows during your week or practicing deep breathing exercises when you feel yourself getting stressed. The exercises you are encouraged to do during or outside of therapy sessions will typically depend on your unique needs and the type of therapy your provider practices. 

Types of therapy and therapists to consider in your search

Prior to starting therapy, a professional may ask the client to complete an assessment to determine which modality is right for them. For example, a therapist might recommend EMDR therapy for someone who presents with symptoms of trauma. If a specific approach is not working, the provider may change modalities or incorporate different techniques into the treatment plan. 

Individuals who seek referrals may be directed to several different types of practitioners. Mental health professionals who provide therapy include psychologists, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors, and social workers.

During the course of your first session—or first few weeks—your chosen mental health professional can provide you with an assessment. Once they’ve developed an understanding of your core concerns, they’ll be able to give you advice on which modality is right for you. In some cases, they might also refer you to professionals who offer counselling in different formats. For example, they may believe that family therapy will be a helpful addition to your treatment plan. 

One of the most popular types of counselling: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the mostwidely used and researched forms of therapy. Some of the mental health conditions that can often be addressed with CBT, sometimes in combination with additional interventions, include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders

While CBT is a common therapy modality for adults, younger people may also benefit from this approach. In some cases, a therapist may use CBT to help adolescents and children (with consent of their caregiver or parents) experiencing mental health conditions or behavioral disorders.

Psychodynamic counselling for mental health

Psychodynamic therapy is built on the theory that unconscious psychological processes affect our everyday thoughts, feelings, and actions. With this modality, a therapist will often help you recognize and analyze recurring themes in your life dating back to your early childhood. By reflecting on these past experiences, they may help you understand how past experiences might be influencing your current behaviors. While research on this modality is ongoing, some studies suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be as effective as other research-backed forms of therapy in many cases. 

Family counselling for relatives or couples

In many cases, the moods and behaviors of your family members can impact or put at risk both your relationships and your own mental health. Family therapy is a way for families to come together and address conflict or improve communication. A family therapist may help members address underlying relational challenges, learn methods of compromise, and find healing and increased harmony together over time. 

Other types of therapy and specialised support

Therapy can involve not only many different modalities, as discussed above, but also several unique formats. Group sessions, for instance, are commonly utilized for individuals who may benefit from connecting with other people. Groups may be centered around specific types of mental health conditions (e.g., depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder), trauma (e.g., bereavement, sexual abuse), or life challenges (e.g., divorce). 

Psychoeducation is another format that is widely utilized. During the course of these sessions, participants learn more about a specific mental health concern, exploring its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Specialised support may also be available through helplines or related services. For example, individuals seeking urgent mental health support or advice in the UK can contact the Samaritans by phone 24/7 at 116 123. A helpline staff member won’t be able to provide you with an assessment or counselling, but they may refer you to resources or services that can help.  

The process: What to expect during your first session

Your first session will typically serve as an opportunity for you to explain a bit about your concerns, outline pertinent details about your life, and provide an overview of your mental health and medical history. You can discuss why you’ve sought care, how a specific challenge has impacted you, and what you hope to gain from sessions. As discussed above, your therapist may use the rest of the session to conduct an assessment and determine which modality will be most helpful for you. They may also give you advice on how to make the most of your therapy experience. 

During your initial sessions, you may spend a significant amount of time committing to goals (e.g., managing depressive symptoms). After the first few weeks of therapy, the provider may make adjustments to these objectives, as necessary, to ensure you’re set up for success. They might also refer you to other services or professionals that can enhance your treatment. 

Find a therapist: UK-specific options and considerations

Resources to help you find support: United Kingdom therapy types and organizations

If you’re seeking mental health care in the United Kingdom, you may be wondering whether there are services that offer free mental health care. The National Health Service (NHS) allows people across the UK to meet with a therapist for free, with or without referrals or a preliminary assessment. Many kinds of talking therapies and other psychological therapies with NHS providers may help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and others. 

In such cases, an individual looking to receive treatment might consider seeking the advice and guidance of non-NHS providers. Their services must typically be paid for through non-public insurance or out of pocket. This can be cost-prohibitive for some, though certain providers may offer sliding scale fees. 

In addition, some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that may cover mental health services, and many universities and schools offer mental health support as well. Mental health charities like the Mental Health Foundation and others may be another avenue for those seeking low-cost or free support.

Online therapy is another helpful option for UK residents, regardless of age, gender, or mental health history. With online therapy, you’ll complete a short assessment that helps match you with a professional. If you find that you and your therapist aren’t a match, you can make a change anytime. Online therapists are screened extensively to protect clients and ensure each provider meets high professional standards. Online therapy also allows you to check in with your therapist outside of sessions, providing you with the opportunity to ask questions, clarify points made during therapy, and continue the development of your therapeutic alliance. 

Understanding therapist qualifications and professional standards

Prior to providing care, therapists must satisfy specific requirements and meet certain professional standards. Often, this involves completing educational requirements, credentialing, and training hours. Such credentials can protect therapy participants and help avoid ethical concerns. Membership to a governing body of some sort can also be important. These organizations often require professionals to have adhered to a code of ethics, completed additional coursework, and maintained their credentials in order to remain members.

As you search for a provider, it can help to research the validity of the various governing bodies therapists claim membership to. Check to see whether the organization or service has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. For example, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Register is a directory that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. 

How the BACP Register and other directories work

As you pursue psychotherapy, you will likely come across several different types of searchable directories with lists of practitioners. These resources are maintained by governing organizations and often used for professional development; however, they can also help you find the right therapist. For example, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Register is a directory of providers who meet the organization’s professional standards. Using this register, you can look for a provider who fits your needs or check the credentials of a therapist who has BACP membership. This can make it easier for people who have received referrals to ensure providers meet certain standards of care.  

Professional bodies and accreditation in the UK

There are several governing bodies in the UK—in addition to the BACP Register and the Professional Standards Authority—that professionals may be members of. The UK Council for Psychotherapy is one such body, billing itself as “the leading organisation for psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors in the UK”. Others include the British Psychological Society, College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists, and British Psychoanalytic Council. 

If you’re considering working with a provider in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, it may help to find out whether they’ve maintained membership with an applicable professional body. For example, if you’ve been referred to a creative therapist, you might find out if they’re part of the British Association of Art Therapists. This can help you ensure the professional has met certain standards regarding ethics, credentialing, and career development. 

How to check a therapist’s credentials

There are several ways you can ensure a provider has met certain professional standards and maintained their credentials. One way to check on a therapist’s credentials is to refer to any professional organizations to which they claim membership. For example, a provider who claims to be a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy will be part of the BACP Register. Using the register, you can search for their name, learn more about their services, and confirm they’re in good standing. 

You can also utilize the Professional Standards Authority’s Check a Practitioner tool. This is a large directory of professional organizations that provide credentials to therapists in various areas of the mental health field. It can also help to review the requirements for therapists to maintain membership in these organizations, which may include the completion of continuing education courses, adherence to a code of conduct/ethics, and experience providing supervised care. 

Ethical practice and client protection

Mental health practitioners can confront a wide range of ethical concerns as they work to improve the lives of their clients; so it’s important that they are held to rigorous professional standards when it comes to informed consent, pricing, and other considerations. Ethical standards can help protect clients from being taken advantage of and ensure that public trust in the mental health community remains high. 

Many professional organizations require their members to adhere to a code of ethics that they can refer to in challenging situations. For example, the British Psychological Society (BPS) has a Code of Ethics and Conduct, requiring that “all members act in accordance with this code”. Part of the Professional Standards Authority’s responsibilities are to ensure that professional bodies like BPS have codes of ethics. 

Receiving referrals for therapy services

UK residents looking to participate in therapy through the NHS can either seek referrals through their general practitioners or refer themselves to a service. The NHS has instructions for how to self-refer here. Many people decide to receive a referral from trusted providers who themselves meet high professional standards. Others prefer to make an assessment of available professionals so that they can choose the best therapist for their needs. The UK Council for Psychotherapy has information on which services prospective clients will be referred to based on whether they live in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. 

Additional mental health resources

Helplines, support groups, informational materials, and other resources can also be helpful as you continue on your therapy journey. The UK-based charity Mind operates a helpline that is available at 0300 102 1234 Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm. You can find a list of other helplines and resources here. Support groups are also helpful for individuals looking for help with mental health concerns, career development, or relationship challenges. Mind also hosts a directory of UK-based support groups here. 

College students may also receive support through their academic institutions. Contact your school’s health services department for a list of practitioners. If you’re in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland, consider reaching out to your local council to find out what resources are available. You can also find informational resources on mental health through the NHS. 

Further, many academic institutions offer free or discounted care, allowing students to take advantage of the advice and support of professionals. For example, if you’re a college student, you can phone your school’s administrators to find out whether they offer therapy sessions, a support group, or even a course on mental health. 

Online therapy services also offer counselling at affordable price points. With online therapy, you can participate in sessions through your phone, computer, tablet, or other internet-enabled device. You’ll simply complete a short assessment that helps connect you with a professional, then let the platform take care of the rest. If you feel that your therapist isn’t the right match, you can change providers anytime. (Remember that it may take a few weeks for you to become comfortable with your therapist.)  

Support for diverse communities

The ability to utilize mental health treatment is vital for individuals who come from underrepresented or marginalized communities. Research suggests that a person from a minority group will be less likely to seek care than someone from the general population. For example, in a study of college students of African and Caribbean heritage, researchers found that awareness and stigma were barriers to treatment. There is also evidence of disparities among Asian, Hispanic, Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander communities. 

This highlights the need to provide helpful support and advice that takes into account an individual’s unique background. Recently, a focus on culturally sensitive therapy has helped bridge the mental health gap that exists in underrepresented communities. If you’re looking to work with someone whose background aligns with your own, online therapy can also be a useful resource.

When you need urgent help

If you’re seeking immediate help, the NHS recommends contacting 111 by phone to set up an urgent appointment with a provider. While a general practitioner may not offer counselling, they can refer you to a qualified therapist who will address your concerns. A mental health or medical professional can provide you with an assessment and determine whether further testing, a diagnosis, and treatment are necessary. If you’re experiencing a common psychological challenge, such as bereavement, you may also consider attending a support group. There, you can receive advice and connect with people who are also committing to fostering mental wellness.  

How to decide which form of therapy is right for you

As you start on your mental health journey, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions about what you want out of your therapy experience. Are there specific modalities you prefer, such as cognitive behavioral therapy? Do you need an assessment? Or can you already explain to your therapist which concerns you’d like to address?  

Think about which formats you’d like to engage with. Are you considering professionals who offer counselling in person and online? Do you want to participate in family, couples, or group therapy? Consider what goals you’d like to pursue, as well. Are you seeking career advice? Help with depression? It can help to continue asking yourself these questions even after you’ve started counselling. 

Online accredited therapist and therapy types for mental health

The research behind online therapy & how to contact a therapist

Research suggests that online therapy can often be an effective form of treatment for various mental and physical health conditions, producing similar results to in-person care in many cases. For example, in one study involving adults, researchers report that online CBT helped reduce symptoms of depression and improve quality of life.