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I remember how difficult it was to decide which counsellor to see. Here are some things I’d look at when choosing a counsellor:
- Approach - Counselling approaches fall into three categories. Firstly there are behavioural therapies, which focus on our behaviours. Secondly there are psychoanalytical / psychodynamic therapies, which focus on unconscious patterns that developed during childhood. And lastly there are humanistic therapies, which focus on the person behind the behaviour and trying to see the world through that person’s eyes.
- Qualifications - Currently in the UK anybody can call themselves a counsellor even if they have no counselling qualifications. Counselling courses themselves range from a brief introductory course to a two or three year course of study. You may want to ask about a counsellor’s qualifications, how long they studied, and where.
- Membership of Professional Bodies - I think it’s a good idea to look for a counsellor who is a member of BACP or UKCP (see my information page). These bodies have minimum standards that their members must satisfy. They also have an ethical framework that members have to adhere to. Some counsellors are also accredited by the BACP. This means that they have provided detailed written evidence that their counselling skills fully satisfy the BACP requirements.
- Insurance - All professional counsellors need liability insurance. It’s advisable to avoid those who don’t have this.
- Convenience - To build a relationship with your counsellor you’ll probably be attending weekly sessions, so you might prefer a counsellor you can travel to relatively easily. Also check out the parking - you don’t want to have to hunt for a parking space. Or perhaps telephone counselling might be more convenient?
- Flexibility - Some counsellors are very flexible about appointment times, changing appointments etc. Some are quite rigid about such things as they may see this rigidity as a part of the whole process. Select what suits you.
I believe the most important thing is finding someone you can establish a “connection” with and who you feel comfortable working with. You may need to speak to a few counsellors before you discover the right person for you...
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