How to find a therapist
Where do I start when looking for a therapist?
Before you start your search, it is useful to familiarise yourself with different types of therapy (i.e. Psychodynamic, CBT and Person-centred), and the different types of therapy accreditations and qualifications to know which therapist you would like. More information can be found on different schools of thought and what type of therapy is best for you pages.
When looking for a therapist it is important to find someone you gel with, who will listen to you, providing comfort whilst challenging your negative thought patterns or behaviour. Bear in mind that losing a parent at a young age can be a particularly traumatic experience, so when you are looking for a therapist, we believe you may benefit from a trauma-informed therapist.
We also recommend looking for a counsellor or therapist with trustworthy accreditation, who is part of a well-known organisation such as the BACP, UKCP, NCPS or HCPC, as under current regulations, you do not need any standardised qualifications to call yourself a counsellor or therapist, only those registered with a regulatory body like the BACP or UKCP meet standardised regulations.
Something else to consider is whether you are comfortable with online or in-person therapy, and which you feel you will prefer, and if you are unsure, do not worry. You can experiment with different types and figure out which suits you best. Other factors to consider when finding a therapist are the amount of time and money you are willing to spend on therapy. Some services offer a student discount to help reduce the cost; similarly, if you have limited free time, it may be beneficial to opt for online therapy, due to convenience and travel costs.
How can I get a referral?
Getting a referral can feel daunting, especially if this is your first time seeking out therapy by yourself. But fear not, we have outlined how you can get in contact with your GP or complete a self-referral to access therapy.
Self-referral
If you live in England, you can refer yourself directly to NHS talking therapies, however, if you live in the rest of the UK, you will need to ask your GP for a referral. To be eligible for a self-referral, you must be registered with a GP, and over the age of 18. You can start this process by accessing the NHS website, on the Talking Therapies Service Finder. After filling out the form through the NHS website, someone will contact you to do an assessment (this may be referred to as an IAPT). The assessment will involve someone from the service asking you what you are experiencing. They may ask you to fill out a medical history questionnaire and explain your family history of mental health issues, so they can assess what is right for you.
The most important thing is to be open and honest about your situation, as this can help them find the most appropriate treatment for you. If they think you would benefit from therapy, they will put you on a waiting list to see a therapist and should let you know the expected waiting times. They will let you know how to contact them in the future if you have any issues, and will give you a local emergency number in case you experience extreme distress whilst on the waiting list.
GP referral
To get a GP referral, you will need to make an appointment with your local GP. If you are not yet registered with a GP, you will need to complete this step before attempting to get a GP or self-referral (simply visit, call or email your local GP to discuss your options). In the GP appointment, you can ask your doctor to refer you for therapy, after this, the same procedure applies as self-referral; you will be contacted by someone from the service to do an assessment.
A GP referral is a good option if you live in the UK but don’t live in England or you would like professional advice about what treatment may suit you best. To get the most out of your GP appointment, we have recommended a few steps on how best to prepare for the referral appointment.
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Ask for a longer appointment so that you have more time to speak, and do not feel rushed when talking about something that may be more challenging.
When booking the appointment, ask if you can bring someone for moral support.
Note down things that you would like to discuss during the appointment, so that you are prepared, in case you forget while in the appointment.
Make a list of any questions you may have for your GP, including the length of treatment or whether medication may be a good option for you.
Ask if you want a specific GP, e.g. whether you would prefer to speak to a doctor of the same cultural background, or the same gender as you.
Mention to your GP whether you would like therapy online or in person.
Let your GP know if you have a preference for a therapist of a particular cultural background.
After the initial appointment, your GP will typically make a follow-up appointment to check in and see how you are doing for a few weeks after your first appointment. However, you can reschedule the appointment if you have any concerns or would like to discuss something with the doctor earlier than planned. We know that being on a therapy waitlist is not easy, so we have put together some ideas of what you can do to take care of your wellbeing while you wait, click here to find out more.
Here are several different therapy options that we recommend checking out:
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Fairbridge Low-Fee Clinic Psychotherapy Services
Find out more information about low-cost therapy on the Free Psychotherapy Network here
(You can also check out your University or College counselling services).
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