How to start therapy
Why Therapy?
People sometimes wonder what therapy would be like, how it works, the cost, what if I don't gel with the therapist, what if I'm judged or I don't get anything from the sessions? These are all valid questions to ask yourself but what I write here is some ways to help eliminate this fear.
Overall satisfaction: Surveys by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) show that roughly 73% of individuals who have undergone therapy found the experience helpful, and about 75% would recommend therapy to others.
Some things to consider before looking for a therapist:
Why am I looking for a therapist? What am I going through right now, am I feeling low, do I need help in clarifying a relationship issue, am I unable to control or make sense of my emotions or behaviours, do I have a need that is not being met, what would I like to change about myself or my situation
Once you have clarification then you can then start to search for a therapist you feel might be able to help with your specific needs (many directories allow you to search by specialism or issue)
Before you do this though, check to see if you have BUPA health cover or equivalent which may cover some of the cost of the therapy sessions
The BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) is one professional association in the UK which has a searchable directory. You can search for a therapist by using criteria such as: location, issue or specialism. You can also filter results by distance, helpful if you're looking for in-person therapy.
You'll likely have quite a long list of therapists to choose from, the next step would be to read through a few profiles and ask yourself: is their profile well matched to what I need? do they have experience working with my issue or problem? do they have qualifications in this field? does the therapist seem to have a level of experience to help you? Do I want to be challenged and have a more directive approach or am I looking for warmth and empathy? Profiles can offer a lot on information and help you form a helpful first impression.
Many therapists will offer a free consultation which usually ranges from 15 to 30 minutes. This is an opportunity for the therapist to ask you some questions about you and why you are seeking a therapist. It's also an opportunity for you to see if you think you will feel comfortable with the therapist, and for you to ask them any questions that you may have e.g. have you helped people in my situation before? how would you work with me? how long have you practiced for? what are the practical arrangement for sessions?
What can therapy give you? Therapy can be life changing, but like anything in life you have to put the work in as well to reap the rewards. Therapy can help you to feel validated, gain clarification on a feeling or situation, it can empower you to make healthier choices and move on from old feelings or an unhealthy relationship. Therapy can provide you with better coping techniques, resillience building, self-awareness, boundary settings and improved communication. It can also help spot patterns and offer insights into why you might have low self-esteem, pick over-powering partners or become disregulated if a door is slammed.
Below you'll find a few helpful links to therapist directories. And if you feel I might be a good fit, feel free to book yourself a free consultation using my booking system. I currently have availability for immediate starts for both in-person and online sessions.