How to choose a therapist in London: questions to ask

To choose a therapist in London, start by checking that they are registered with a professional body on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as the BACP, UKCP or NCPS. Then look at the practical side (fees, location, online or in person, language) and ask about their training and how they work. Finally, notice how you feel talking to them. The BACP describes the relationship with your therapist as usually the most important factor in how well therapy goes.

Key points

• Counselling and psychotherapy are not regulated by law in the UK, so check for registration with a PSA-accredited body.
• Be clear about the practical basics first: cost, location, online or in person, and times.
• Ask about training, approach and experience with what you are bringing.
• Agree fees, cancellations and confidentiality before you start.
• Fit matters. You do not have to keep seeing a therapist you cannot relate to or who makes you feel unsafe.

Where can I find a therapist in London?

There are several routes, and you can use more than one at the same time:

• NHS Talking Therapies. In England you can refer yourself to your local service, free, if you are registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas). You may not be able to choose your therapist, but you can still ask questions and say if something is not right.
• Your GP. A GP can talk through options and refer you to other NHS services if your needs are more complex.
• Professional body directories. The BACP has a searchable directory of therapists, and other PSA-accredited bodies such as the UKCP and NCPS keep their own registers.
• Charities and community organisations. Some offer free or affordable counselling, sometimes for particular groups or difficulties.
• Work or study. Some employers offer counselling through an employee assistance programme (EAP), and many colleges and universities have free, confidential counselling services.

If you are looking privately, it can help to shortlist two or three people rather than trying to find the one perfect match straight away.

How do I check a therapist is properly qualified?

In the UK, “counsellor” and “psychotherapist” are not protected titles, so in principle anyone can use them. The NHS advises checking that a private therapist is registered with a professional body accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). These registers set standards for training and ethics and have a complaints process.

You can search the registers yourself, free of charge. My guide on how to check a therapist is BACP registered walks through this step by step. If you are unsure about the different titles, see counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist: what’s the difference?

What practical things should I think about first?

Before you look at approaches and experience, it helps to be clear about what you need in practice. Therapy usually works best when it is regular, so something that fits your life is more likely to last.

• Cost. What can you realistically afford each week or fortnight, and for how long? Fees vary, and many therapists publish theirs.
• Location and travel. In London, a short journey from work or home can make weekly sessions much easier to keep up.
• Online or in person. Some people prefer a room, some prefer video, and some like the option of both. My guide on whether online therapy works may help you decide.
• Language and background. You may want to work in a particular language, or with someone who understands your culture or experience.
• Timing. Check whether the therapist has space at times you can manage.

What questions should I ask a therapist?

Many therapists offer an initial consultation, by phone, video or in person, before you commit. The BACP encourages clients to ask about a therapist’s professional memberships, experience and qualifications, and to ask what they mean. Useful questions include:

About them

• Which professional body are you registered with?
• What is your training, and how long have you been practising?
• Have you worked with people experiencing something similar to me?

About how they work

• What approach do you use, and what might a session look like?
• How long do people usually see you for?
• How do we review how things are going?
• How will we know when it is time to end?

About the practical arrangements

• How much are sessions, how long do they last and how often would we meet?
• What is your cancellation policy, and is there a charge for holidays or missed sessions?
• How do you handle confidentiality, and when might you need to break it?
• Do you keep notes, and what happens to them?

The BACP’s guidance is that fees and the working arrangement should be agreed before therapy starts. A good therapist will be happy to answer these questions, and will not mind if you are speaking to more than one person.

Does the type of therapy matter?

Sometimes. Some therapists are trained in one main approach, such as person-centred, psychodynamic or CBT, while others are integrative and draw on several. For some difficulties, guidance from NICE recommends particular treatments, so if you are seeking help for something specific, such as OCD, it is worth asking how a therapist works with it. My guide on which therapy helps with OCD is one example.

For many common difficulties, though, the BACP notes that the relationship between you and your therapist is usually the most important factor in whether therapy helps.

How do I know if a therapist is right for me?

You will not always know after one conversation, and it is normal to feel nervous at first. Some things to notice:

• Do you feel listened to, rather than rushed or talked over?
• Do they explain things clearly and answer your questions?
• Do you feel you could, in time, be honest with them?
• Are they clear about boundaries, fees and confidentiality?

The BACP says you do not have to continue with a therapist you cannot relate to or who makes you feel unsafe, and you can look for someone else. If something feels uncomfortable once you have started, it is worth raising it with your therapist. If you cannot, the BACP has a service that offers advice on concerns about counselling.

What are the warning signs?

• They will not tell you which professional body they belong to.
• They promise to fix or cure you, or guarantee results.
• They are vague about fees, cancellations or confidentiality.
• They push you to pay for many sessions upfront.
• They blur boundaries in ways that make you uncomfortable.

How I work

I am an integrative psychotherapist registered with the BACP (MBACP), working with adults individually and as couples. I see clients in person at my practice room in Farringdon and online by secure video, in English or Turkish. You can read more about counselling in London and online counselling, and my fees are listed openly.

If you are in crisis, call 999, go to A&E, call NHS 111, or contact Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).

If you would like to ask any of the questions above, you are welcome to get in touch and arrange an initial consultation. It is a chance to see how talking together feels, with no obligation to continue.