Questions you might have before you start.
The things most people wonder about but don’t always know who to ask. Tap any question to read the answer.
| Title | What they do | Can they prescribe medication? |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologist | Has a degree and usually a doctorate in psychology. Can assess, diagnose, and deliver therapy. A Clinical Psychologist (DClinPsy) has specialist NHS-level training. | No — in the UK, psychologists cannot prescribe medication. |
| Psychotherapist | Trained specifically in one or more therapy models (e.g. CBT, psychodynamic). The title isn’t legally protected in the UK — always check they’re registered with UKCP, BACP, or a recognised body. | No. |
| Counsellor | Usually trained in talking and listening therapies. Often works with specific issues like grief, relationships, or anxiety. Counselling is generally shorter-term than psychotherapy. | No. |
| Therapist | A broad umbrella term — can mean a psychotherapist, counsellor, CBT therapist, or others. Always check their specific training and professional registration. | No. |
| Psychiatrist | A medical doctor who specialised in mental health. Can diagnose, prescribe medication, and sometimes deliver therapy. Usually accessed via GP referral. | Yes — the only title on this list who can. |
| Pastor / Chaplain | Provides spiritual support and pastoral care. Not a clinical mental health professional — they haven’t trained in clinical therapy. A valuable source of emotional and spiritual support, but isn’t a substitute for clinical treatment. | No. |
Therapy isn’t just for people in crisis. It’s for anyone who wants to understand themselves better, get unstuck, process something difficult, or simply function better in their life and relationships.
If you’ve ever found yourself repeating the same patterns, struggling with something you can’t quite name, or feeling like you’re coping but not really thriving — therapy is for you. You don’t need a diagnosis. You don’t need to be ‘bad enough.’ You just need to be willing to explore.
A good therapist, counsellor, or psychologist will meet you wherever you are. The first session is usually just a conversation — there’s no commitment and no pressure to go deeper than you’re ready for.
Therapy doesn’t solve your problems the way a mechanic fixes a car. What it does is change your relationship to them — how you think about them, feel them, respond to them, and whether you keep recreating them.
Different therapies work in different ways. CBT helps you spot and challenge thinking patterns that make problems worse. Psychodynamic therapy uncovers where those patterns came from. ACT helps you act differently even when the feelings don’t change. EMDR helps your brain process memories that feel stuck.
Most people find the real shift isn’t in the problem itself — it’s in them. Problems that once felt overwhelming start to feel manageable. Patterns that felt automatic start to feel like choices.
| Therapy type | Typical length | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| CBT | 6–20 sessions | More sessions for complex or long-standing issues. NICE guidelines recommend 12–20 for depression. |
| ACT | 8–16 sessions | Can be shorter for specific goals; longer for chronic conditions. |
| EMDR | 6–12 sessions | Single-incident trauma can resolve quickly. Complex or childhood trauma takes longer. |
| Psychodynamic | Months to years | Designed to be open-ended — you go as deep as you choose. |
| DBT | 6–12 months | Includes both individual and group sessions; a structured programme with a set curriculum. |
| Person-Centred counselling | Open-ended | You set the pace — some people come for a few months, others for years. |
| Schema Therapy | 1–3 years | Designed for long-standing patterns — it takes time to shift core beliefs. |
In England, you can access free therapy through the NHS via Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT). You can self-refer online without seeing a GP first — search ‘NHS Talking Therapies’ and your local area to find the service. Waiting times vary from a few weeks to several months.
Private therapy typically costs £50–£150 per session in the UK, with London rates generally higher. Many therapists and counsellors offer a reduced rate for lower incomes — it’s always worth asking directly.
Charities such as Mind, Cruse (bereavement), and Relate (relationships) also offer low-cost or subsidised sessions. And if you’re employed, check whether your company offers an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — many provide free short-term counselling that very few people actually use.
Therapy not working is often about fit — the wrong therapist, the wrong model for your needs, or the wrong timing. It rarely means therapy itself doesn’t work for you.
Research consistently shows that the relationship with the therapist matters as much as the therapy model. If you felt unheard, rushed, or like the approach didn’t match how you think and feel, that experience is worth paying attention to.
If CBT didn’t resonate, a more relational or exploratory approach like psychodynamic therapy or IFS might. If talking felt too abstract, something more body-based like somatic therapy could suit you better. There may be an approach you haven’t tried yet — browse the full library to explore.
Therapy and faith are not in conflict. Many people find their spiritual life is a central part of who they are, and a good therapist, counsellor, or psychologist will respect that — not dismiss it or try to talk you out of it.
Some practitioners actively integrate spirituality or faith into their work. Others are secular but culturally competent. When looking for someone to work with, it’s completely reasonable to ask how they approach clients for whom faith is important.
Pastoral support and therapy can also sit alongside each other rather than instead of each other. A pastor or chaplain offers something therapy doesn’t — community, prayer, spiritual direction. A therapist or psychologist offers something pastoral care doesn’t — clinical training in how the mind and emotions work.