Everything can change

Counselling is a form of talking therapy that offers a confidential and supportive space to explore what is happening in your life with someone trained to listen carefully and without judgement.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, grief or relationships, dealing with the impact of something that has happened, or facing a period of change. Sometimes there is no particular crisis — you may simply want to understand yourself or the patterns in your life more deeply.

Counselling is different from receiving advice. A counsellor is not there to tell you what to do or make decisions for you. Instead, counselling gives you the opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences, consider different perspectives and discover what feels right for you.

Sometimes change begins not by trying harder to get rid of difficult feelings, but by understanding and making room for what is already there. With greater awareness and self-compassion, it can become possible to respond differently to ourselves, our relationships and the challenges we face.

Are There Different Types of Counselling?

Yes — and some of the terminology can be confusing when you first start looking for a counsellor.

You may come across terms such as Person-Centred Therapy, CBT, Psychodynamic Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Solution-Focused Therapy and Integrative Counselling.

Different approaches look at our difficulties in different ways. CBT, for example, pays particular attention to the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, while Psychodynamic Therapy considers how earlier experiences and relationships may continue to influence us in the present. Person-Centred Therapy places particular importance on the relationship between counsellor and client and your own capacity for growth.

Integrative counselling brings together ideas from different therapeutic approaches. Rather than assuming that one way of working will suit everyone, the counsellor can adapt their approach to the individual.

You don’t need to understand all of these terms before starting counselling. What matters is finding an appropriately qualified therapist whose way of working feels comfortable for you and with whom you feel able to develop a trusting relationship.

If you are interested in finding out more, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has helpful information about what counselling involves and a guide to the many different types of therapy available.

Finding Out More

There is a wealth of good information available if you would like to understand more about counselling or mental health before deciding whether to seek support.

BACP provides information about counselling, different therapeutic approaches and how to find a registered therapist.

 British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy 

Counselling Directory also has accessible articles about counselling and psychotherapy, as well as a directory where you can search for therapists and read about their different ways of working.

 Counselling Directory - Find a Counsellor Near You 

Mind provides information and support across a wide range of mental health and wellbeing concerns.

 Supporting Mind: How You Can Get Involved | Mind 

If You Need Urgent Support

Private counselling is not an emergency or crisis service.

If you need urgent mental health support, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option. If there is an immediate danger to life, call 999.

If you are feeling suicidal, please tell someone and seek help. Samaritans are available by telephone on 116 123.

PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 provides suicide prevention support for young people experiencing thoughts of suicide and for anyone concerned about a young person. Call 0800 068 4141 or text 88247.

For bereavement support, Cruse Bereavement Support can be contacted on 0808 808 1677.