What to Look for When Choosing a Therapist
Your complete guide to finding qualified, registered therapists and the right therapeutic approach for your needs
Starting therapy is a significant step towards better mental health and wellbeing. But with many different therapeutic approaches and thousands of practitioners across London to choose from, how do you find someone who's not just qualified, but truly right for you and your unique circumstances?
This guide will help you understand what makes a therapist qualified, how to recognise safe practice, and how to find an approach that suits your unique needs.
What Makes a Therapist Qualified?
Before exploring which therapeutic approach might suit you, it's crucial to ensure any therapist you consider is properly qualified and safe to work with.
Essential Qualifications
Formal training in counselling, psychotherapy, or clinical psychology - this provides the foundational knowledge of human psychology, mental health conditions, and therapeutic principles necessary to work safely and effectively with clients.
Specialist training in their chosen therapeutic modalities - this ensures they can deliver the approach safely and effectively, rather than using techniques they're not properly trained in.
Registration with recognised professional bodies (BACP, UKCP, BPS, HCPC, BPC, COSRT, or BABCP) - this ensures they meet rigorous training standards, follow ethical guidelines, maintain professional insurance, and can be held accountable through formal complaints procedures if needed.
Ongoing supervision and professional development - this ensures they continue learning, receive guidance on complex cases, maintain ethical practice, and stay current with best practices and research.
Professional indemnity insurance - this protects both you and the therapist in the rare case of professional negligence or harm.
Unfortunately, the titles "counsellor" and "psychotherapist" are not legally protected, which means anyone can call themselves a counsellor or psychotherapist regardless of their training or qualifications. This is why checking for proper qualifications and professional registration is so crucial for your safety and the quality of care you receive.
Professional body registration provides assurance that therapists have completed rigorous training requirements and are properly qualified to practice. You can easily verify if your therapist is genuinely registered by checking their name on the relevant professional body's online registry.
Red Flags to Avoid
While most practitioners are professional and well-intentioned, it's important to be aware of potential warning signs. Trust your instincts and be cautious of therapists who:
Are not registered with any professional body
Registration with a recognised organisation ensures accountability, ethical standards, and proper training and qualifications.Cannot clearly explain their qualifications or therapeutic approach
You have the right to know how someone is trained and what kind of therapy they offer.Make unrealistic promises about outcomes or timescales
Therapy is a complex process. Be wary of anyone who guarantees quick fixes or “cures.”Blur professional boundaries
This includes things like offering friendship, meeting socially, making inappropriate comments, or sharing too much about their personal life. Therapy should remain focused on you and be boundaried and professional.Dismiss or minimise your concerns
A good therapist will validate your feelings and take your experiences seriously, not downplay them or tell you how you should feel.Push their personal beliefs or agenda
Therapists should not impose religious, political, or lifestyle beliefs on clients, directly or subtly.Discourage you from asking questions or seeking other opinions
You should feel free to ask about their qualifications, approach, or even explore therapy with someone else. A safe therapist will support your autonomy.Do not carry professional indemnity insurance or avoid showing credentials
Transparency is essential. A registered therapist should be able to verify their qualifications and insurance with no hesitation.
Understanding Different Therapeutic Approaches
Once you've established that a therapist is properly qualified, the next step is finding an approach that resonates with you. Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Different approaches work better for different people and different challenges. Here are some of the main therapeutic modalities and what they're best suited for:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It's highly structured, goal-oriented, and typically shorter-term. CBT works particularly well for anxiety, depression, phobias, and specific behavioural issues.
Best for: People who prefer practical, solution-focused approaches and want to develop specific coping strategies.
Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach explores how unconscious thoughts and past experiences influence current behaviour and relationships. It tends to be longer-term and more exploratory, helping you understand deeper patterns in your life.
Best for: Those interested in gaining insight into recurring patterns, relationship difficulties, or unresolved issues from the past.
Humanistic and Person-Centred Therapy These approaches emphasise the therapeutic relationship itself as healing, focusing on acceptance, empathy, and your inherent capacity for growth. The therapist provides a safe, non-judgemental space for exploration.
Best for: People who want to explore their authentic self, improve self-esteem, or work through identity questions.
Existential Therapy This approach helps you explore fundamental questions about meaning, purpose, freedom, and authenticity. It's particularly valuable when facing major life transitions, loss, or questions about what truly matters to you.
Best for: Those grappling with life transitions, searching for meaning, or wanting to live more authentically.
Systemic and Family Therapy These approaches look at relationships and family systems, understanding how we're influenced by our social connections and how changes in one person affect the whole system.
Best for: Relationship issues, family conflicts, or when individual problems are connected to relationship dynamics.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) A specialist approach for processing traumatic memories and reducing their emotional impact through bilateral stimulation whilst recalling difficult experiences.
Best for: Trauma, PTSD, phobias, and other conditions rooted in specific distressing experiences.
Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) This time-limited psychodynamic approach focuses on understanding patterns in relationships and how they affect your current difficulties. It's structured yet exploratory, helping you recognise and change recurring relationship patterns.
Best for: Relationship difficulties, depression linked to interpersonal issues, and understanding how past relationships influence current ones.
Psychosynthesis An integrative approach that works with different aspects of personality and focuses on personal growth and self-realisation. It combines psychological insight with attention to meaning, purpose, and the fuller expression of human potential.
Best for: Personal development, identity exploration, creative blocks, and those seeking to integrate different aspects of themselves.
Not all approaches suit everyone, and many therapists draw from multiple models to tailor their work to each client.
Finding Your Personal Fit
Even the most qualified therapist using the most appropriate approach won't help if you don't feel comfortable with them personally.
Consider Your Preferences
Do you prefer a more directive, structured approach or gentle exploration?
Are you comfortable with a therapist who challenges you directly, or do you need more supportive encouragement?
Do you want someone who shares certain life experiences or cultural understanding?
Does the therapist's gender, age, or background matter to you?
Trust Your Instincts Pay attention to how you feel during initial contact. Do you feel heard and understood? Can you imagine being open and honest with this person? Your gut reaction often provides valuable information.
Making Your Decision
Initial Consultations Don't hesitate to ask for a free consultation with a few therapists before choosing. Good therapists normally will also want to meet you before you decide to commit, to ensure they are the right person to support you, and they will be happy to answer your questions and demonstrate their qualifications and professional registration. Use this opportunity to:
Ask about their experience with your specific concerns
Understand their therapeutic approach and how they typically work
Assess whether you feel comfortable with their style
Clarify practical arrangements like fees and frequency
Questions to Ask
What is your experience working with [your specific concerns]?
How would you typically approach someone in my situation?
What can I expect from working with you?
How do you measure progress in therapy?
What training and supervision do you receive?
The Journey to Better Mental Health
Finding the right therapist is an investment in your future wellbeing. The combination of proper qualifications, an appropriate therapeutic approach, and a good personal fit can be truly transformative.
Take your time with this decision. A therapeutic relationship is deeply personal, and finding someone who offers both professional competence and personal connection can make all the difference to your healing journey.
At Heathwell, we understand that every person's needs are unique. Our therapists are carefully selected for both their clinical experience and their ability to meet diverse client needs. Every practitioner meets all the standards outlined above. Every member of our team is fully qualified with substantial experience, registered with appropriate professional bodies, and committed to regular supervision and continuous professional development. They practice at the highest standards and maintain strict ethical guidelines.
We are completely transparent about our therapists' qualifications and professional registrations - you can easily verify their credentials and expertise. We offer all our clients the opportunity of a free consultation because we want to make sure that we are a good match for you before you decide to book a session with us. Whether you're seeking couples therapy, support with ADHD, therapy for anxiety or depression, psychosexual therapy, or exploring deeper questions about meaning and authenticity, we take time to understand your specific needs and preferences to ensure you're working with someone who combines professional excellence with genuine understanding and is truly right for you.
Ready to begin your journey towards better mental health? Contact Heathwell in Blackheath today to discuss how we can support you in finding the right therapeutic approach and the right therapist for your unique needs. Conveniently located for clients in Lewisham, Greenwich, and across Southeast London.
