If you have a say in your NHS therapist or if you’re thinking about paying for therapy, you should feel confident about your choice.
Questions to ask yourself before you look for a therapist
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What kind of therapy would suit me?
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What are the different kinds of therapy available?
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What kind of therapist could I work well with? (you may prefer a man or a woman, someone with the same background as you or someone your own age or older).
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How much time or money am I willing to spend?
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How far am I willing to travel?
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Do I mind where I see the therapist? (Options include at a GP practice, clinic, hospital, community centre or in the therapist’s own home)
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Who may be able to recommend a therapist to me? (Friends or your GP may be able to put you in touch with a therapist they respect).
There are no rules about who can advertise that they offer a talking therapy so it is essential to check the therapist is listed on one of the registers of approved (or ‘accredited’) professionals.
Professional organisations make sure therapists meet certain standards before they approve them.
The therapists they approve must keep their clients’ identities confidential. The organisations also have complaints procedures for their therapists’ clients.
The procedures protect you if your therapist tries to take advantage of you when you may be feeling vulnerable. You don’t need to put up with a therapist who crosses professional boundaries, doesn’t respect you or isn’t helping you move forward.
Questions to ask a therapist
About the therapist
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What are your qualifications?
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What other training have you done?
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How long have you been working as a therapist?
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Do you belong to a professional organisation?
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Can I see your professional organisation’s code of practice or code of ethics?
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How would I complain about my therapy?
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Can I opt out any time?
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Do you work in any other languages?
About the therapy
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What kind of therapy do you offer?
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Do you specialise in helping people with certain types of problem?
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What happens at a typical session?
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How long is a session?
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How often do you see people?
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How many sessions would I have?
About the cost
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What is the cost for each session?
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Are there any reductions for older people, students or people on benefits?
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Do you charge for the first session, whether or not we decide to go ahead and work together?
When you meet a therapist for the first time (sometimes called an assessment), they will be working out if they can help you. That’s your chance to find out about the therapist too. Ask yourself:
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Do you feel comfortable talking to them?
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Would you be able to trust and work with them?
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What’s your ‘gut feeling’ about them?
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