. Talk It Through .
Thinking about Counselling
Anyone thinking about counselling faces the problem of how to find a counsellor. There is no right or wrong way of going about it but here is a short guide that might help, based on research that I have conducted. A more detailed look can be found in a good book ‘Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Consumer’s Guide’ by Professor Windy Dryden and Colin Feltham.
Qualifications
First and foremost you need to be confident that the counsellor is suitably qualified. Currently, anyone can call themselves a counsellor regardless of whether they have any qualifications. My advice is to avoid such people! Instead, look on the websites of the two main organisations that regulate the profession: the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (http://www.bacp.co.uk/ ) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/). Both list counsellors that you can be confident have the appropriate qualification, skills and experience to help you.
Word of Mouth
Do you know anyone who has benefitted from counselling? If so, can they recommend someone? This is often a good place to start, but be aware that a counsellor that suits one of your friends or family might not suit you. Alternatively, go to your GP and ask if he or she knows a suitable counsellor.
OK, They’re Qualified. What else?
My research has shown that the most important factor in choosing a counsellor is the relationship between the client and the counsellor. Put simply, you have to feel comfortable sharing personal, perhaps even quite painful facts and memories with your counsellor. This doesn’t mean that they are your friend and that you should only choose someone you think you might be friends with!
All qualified counsellors will usually offer you an initial assessment session, for you both to get a feel as to whether you can work together.
Location, Location, Location… and Timing
Even if you think you’ve found a counsellor that is qualified and with the skills and experience to suit your particular issues, you need to be able to get to see them on time for each session. There’s no point choosing someone based so far away that you’re at the mercy of the transport network to get to them on time. Equally, you will want to be sure that the counsellor can see you at a time that works for you – there’s no point finding the perfect counsellor if they can only offer you an appointment while you are at work or when you need to pick the kids up from school.
In short, choose someone that you are comfortable with, who is local to where you live or work and who can see you at a time convenient for you, so that you can be confident you can fit counselling into your life.
Claire Forber BSc(Hons) BACP
Integrative Relational Counsellor
Living Centre Clinic
32 Durham Road, Raynes Park,
London SW20 0TW
020 8946 2331
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