Setting out to find the right therapist can feel daunting. With so many options available and so much unfamiliar terminology, it can be hard to know where to start.

Here are 3 things you might want to consider when embarking on your own search for a new therapist.

1. Where do you want your sessions to take place?
   The first, most practical consideration is likely to be the location of the therapist’s practice rooms. How far are you able to travel to sessions? Are you able to fit the journey to and from sessions into your existing schedule? If your therapist’s practice space is 30 minutes from home or work, for example, you will be committing to a minimum two-hour weekly slot. Is it better for your schedule if you choose a therapist near to work or university or near to home? Do you need the practice rooms to be easily accessible via public transport? Are the offices themselves accessible? These are all key questions to ask before you begin your search as these may help you apply filters to your searches on directories and registers [see 3 below].
   
   A second consideration at this point might be to add online therapists to your list of things to consider. Since the global pandemic and the inevitable changes it made to how we work and connect, many therapists will now offer online sessions to clients with accessibility issues, who live outside their local area or who simply prefer the convenience of being online. Are online sessions something you think might work for you? Do you have the privacy at home to be able to relax and feel comfortable in session? Many clients find them convenient and find being at home in their own space a positive experience. Others prefer to process their thoughts and feelings face to face with their therapist and find the online space uncomfortable. What is important is giving thought to what works for you. Trying an online therapy consultation to see how it feels might be helpful when making this decision or why not try face-timing friends or family to see how you feel about being online.
   
   I currently offer face to face sessions in Birmingham, online sessions via zoom and telephone sessions to my clients. My initial assessments usually take place via telephone, but if new clients want to try working online I am happy to offer clients online assessment sessions so they can see how the experience feels.

2. What financial commitment are you able to make?
   Therapy is likely to be a weekly commitment and can last a few sessions, a few months or even years. Therapists usually charge between £40-£75 per session. Now, as a practicing therapist, I believe the value of therapy far outweighs its cost, but available budget is a critical criteria. When considering the list of therapists that meet your other criteria, be sure to check out their fees and make sure they sit within your personal budget. Most therapists offer free consultation sessions and some offer concessions. It’s always worth checking.
   
   If the lower end of this budget still feels beyond your budget, you might need to look for local services which are low-cost or means-tested. I currently have practice space within the Meridian Centre in Birmingham, this is also the home to Meridian Counselling Services which offers accessible, means-tested counselling services with fees starting from as little as £10 per session. Another option may be to check with your employer and see whether any employee counselling schemes or financial support is available.

3. Where to start your search for a therapist who meets your criteria?
   There are several online searchable directories, in the UK, which are easy to navigate and free to use. Professional therapy associations and professional bodies such as the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists [BACP], the British Psycholological Society [BPS], the UK Council for Psychotherapy [UKCP], the National Counselling Society [NCS] and the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitivie Psychotherapies [BABCP], are all great starting points, as are directories such as Counselling Directory or Psychology Today.

   Each association or professional body requires its members to demonstrate a level of professionalism and competency in order to gain membership. They also require members to adhere to an ethical code of practice. If a therapist is listed, then they meet that association’s required standards. Where ever you find your potential therapist always check where they are registered, and if it’s not clear in their listing, be sure to ask them if you make a direct enquiry about sessions. Sites such as the Counselling Directory and Psychology Today, whilst not associations or professional bodies, will only list practitioners who have evidenced their professional memberships and registrations.

   In addition to offering searchable therapist directories, most of these sites also offer information about the different types of therapy available and offer some really good information about the common mental health conditions, life issues and disorders which often bring people to therapy. The Counselling Directory has a full alphabetised list, for example, which has helpful information about everything from abortion through to the challenges of being a young carer.
   

Every good therapist will tell you that - above experience or therapy style - the most important factor in the success of any therapy is the quality of the relationship that develops between you and the therapist. Once you feel confident that the short-list of therapists you have selected fit your criteria and have the necessary qualifications and experience you are looking for - the next step is to see which feels like the best fit for you. This might take a few calls or assessment sessions, but it will be worth the extra effort in the long run. Taking the time to find the right fit, is an investment in your mental wellbeing and vital to your long term happiness and health.

Good luck in your search.

Image Credit :: David Sinclair on Unsplash