How to Choose a Counsellor: A Practical Guide for Finding the Right Fit in the UK
Knowing how to choose a counsellor can feel daunting, especially when you’re already dealing with emotional stress, anxiety, or uncertainty. With so many counsellors offering different qualifications, approaches, and styles, it’s natural to wonder how to decide who is right for you.
The good news is that choosing a counsellor doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By focusing on three key areas (qualifications, therapeutic approach, and personal fit), you can make an informed decision that supports your wellbeing and gives you the best chance of meaningful change.
Why Choosing the Right Counsellor Matters
The relationship between counsellor and client plays a major role in successful therapy. While techniques and theories are important, feeling safe, understood, and respected is often what allows real progress to happen.
Choosing the right counsellor is not about finding the “best” therapist overall; it’s about finding the right one for you.
1. Check Qualifications and Professional Registration
When beginning the process of choosing a counsellor in the UK, qualifications should be one of your first considerations. Unlike some healthcare professions, counselling is not legally regulated, which means anyone can technically call themselves a counsellor.
To protect yourself, look for a counsellor who is registered with a recognised professional body such as:
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society)
Membership with these organisations indicates that the counsellor has completed appropriate training, works ethically, receives regular supervision, and commits to ongoing professional development.
You may also want to look at their level of experience, additional training, and whether they have worked with the specific issues you’re seeking help for.
2. Understand Different Therapeutic Approaches
Another important part of choosing a counsellor is understanding how they work. Counsellors use a range of therapeutic approaches, each offering a different way of understanding and supporting emotional difficulties.
Some common approaches include:
Person-Centred Counselling – focuses on empathy, acceptance, and helping you explore your own experiences at your own pace
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns
Psychodynamic Therapy – explores how past experiences and unconscious processes influence present difficulties
Integrative Counselling – draws on multiple approaches and adapts therapy to the individual
There is no “right” approach for everyone. Some people prefer structured, goal-focused work, while others value open-ended exploration and emotional depth. Many clients choose a counsellor whose way of working resonates with them, rather than focusing solely on the model used.
3. Consider Personal Fit and the Therapeutic Relationship
Personal fit is often the most overlooked and most important factor when deciding how to choose a counsellor.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel comfortable talking to this person?
Do they seem warm, attentive, and non-judgemental?
Can I imagine being open and honest with them over time?
Many counsellors offer an initial consultation or introductory session. This is your chance to ask questions, get a feel for their style, and notice how you feel in their presence. It’s completely okay if the first counsellor you contact doesn’t feel like the right match; finding the right fit is part of the process.
4. Think About Practical Considerations
Practical factors can also affect your decision and your ability to commit to counselling long term. These may include:
Location or online counselling options
Session fees and availability of concessions
Appointment times and frequency
Short-term versus open-ended therapy
Online counselling has become increasingly popular in the UK and can offer flexibility, accessibility, and comfort, especially if travel or diaries are challenging.
5. Trust Yourself and Take Your Time
Choosing a counsellor is a personal decision, and it’s okay to take your time. You don’t need to have everything worked out before starting therapy, and you’re always allowed to reassess whether counselling feels helpful.
A good counsellor will respect your autonomy, welcome your questions, and support you in shaping therapy around your needs.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to choose a counsellor is an important step towards caring for your mental and emotional wellbeing. By considering qualifications, therapeutic approaches, and most importantly, how the counsellor feels to you, you can make a choice that supports lasting growth and change.
If you’d like to explore whether my way of working feels right for you, visit my website to learn about my approach to counselling and how I support clients on their individual journeys.
