- marypascallcounselling
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
I know that finding the right therapist in the UK can feel daunting — but with clear guidance, you can find a practitioner who can truly understand and support you. So, where to begin?
First, clarify your needs
Reflect on what’s weighing on you right now—stress, anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, or identity. Pinpointing your focus will help you find someone with the right experience.
Then consider the types of services available
NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT): you can self-refer or speak to your GP. Services include in-person, phone, or online therapy — all free, though availability varies by region.
Charities & workplace schemes: charities and university or employer-run schemes offer free or low-cost, confidential counselling.
Private therapy: offers reduced waiting times, choice of counsellor and style. Sessions typically cost between £50–£100, though some specialists may charge more. Many counsellors offer introductory chats, sliding-scale fees/concessions. You can search for therapists online via
Use recommended directories to search for a private therapist
BACP Therapist Directory – ~16,000 qualified, registered members searchable by location, issue, session format, languages.
Counselling Directory – Requires therapists to verify qualifications and memberships; includes filtering tips.
UKCP Register – Accredited psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors meeting rigorous training, ethics, and PSA-approved standards -approved register, filtered by specialisms and accessibility.
For culturally sensitive or minority-focused support:
BAATN (Black, African, Asian therapists)
Black Minds Matter https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
Disability Plus https://www.seeac.org.uk/mental-health-support
MCAP N (Muslim Counselling): https://www.mcapn.co.uk/ (Muslim Counsellors)
Neurodivergent Practitioners Directory https://neurodivergentpractitioners.org/
Pink Therapy (LGBTQIA+)
SEEAC (South and East Asian counselling): https://www.seeac.org.uk/mental-health-support
Don’t forget to look at smaller independent directories, including local business directories.
Be sure to checkout average waiting times and costs per session
Average Wait Times
Private – quickest: 1-7 days │ █
NHS IAPT – shortest: 12 days │ ███
Charity – average: 42 days │ ██████████
Private Therapy – long: 42 days │ ██████████
NHS IAPT – longest: 153 days │ ████████████████████
Charity – longest: 2 years │ ████████████████████████████████████
Average Cost per Session
NHS IAPT │ £0
Charity/Community Counselling │ ██████ £20–£50
Private Therapy (standard) │ █████████████ £50–£100
Specialist Couples/Clinic │ ███████████████████████ £150–£200+ NHS therapy is free. Charities and community services, on average, charge £20–£50 per session. Private therapy typically costs £50–£100, but couples counsellors or specialist clinics may charge £150–£200+.Prioritise what's Right for You
Want to access therapy quickly? Private therapy is usually the fastest path.
Cost a concern? Choose from charity schemes or sliding-scale private options.
Don’t mind waiting? NHS IAPT offers free therapy. Check your local wait times.
Need specialist support? Specialist or couples therapy may cost more and have longer wait times.
Now reach out ...
Reaching out for help shows real courage. Whether you choose NHS, charity support, or a private therapist, what matters most is finding someone who understands, respects, and supports you. Make a quick call or email. Many therapists offer a short, free introductory chat. You can ask about their training, experience with your concerns, session style, session duration, and cancellation policies. Don’t feel pressured into making a commitment during consultation. Consider how you feel: are you comfortable with the therapist or can you see this developing? And shop around — you may be keen to get started right now but it’s worth taking some time to find the right therapist for you.
Looking to start your therapy journey? Give me a call or send an email.
Sources
Mental health statistics https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06988/#:~:text=89.3%25%20of%20those%20finishing%20a,Talking%20therapy%20outcomes
NHS IAPT wait times moneyandmentalhealth.org, ukcounsel.ingnetwork.co.uk
NHS performance digital.nhs.uk
Private therapy costs and waits ukcounsellingnetwork.co.uk
