Choosing a Therapist

A guide to making your first important decision

When considering therapy it is advisable to enquire about, or take into account, the therapist's:

  • professional background and training (e.g. counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, psychotherapist)
  • registration with professional bodies ( e.g. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, British Psychological Society, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Health Professions Council)
  • specific training and experience in the problem for which you are seeking help
  • professional orientation (e.g. person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic)
  • supervision arrangements (e.g. frequency of supervision; method, such as individual, group, telephone, email)
  • personality – you should feel comfortable talking with your therapist and feel that you are respected by them

I am a Clinical Psychologist, chartered with the British Psychological Society, and a health professional, registered with the Health Care Professions Council. I am an Accredited Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapist, with the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). I have a specific interest in treating psychological problems using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focussed Therapy (CFT).