How do I choose the right psychotherapist for me?

It is important to feel comfortable with the psychotherapist you work with and that you are reassured that you are seeing a properly trained and monitored professional. The following ideas might be helpful to you in making a choice:

• Have a sense of the type of therapist that appeals to you
• Have a sense of the gender of the person you prefer
• Check the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy website to find registered psychotherapists in your area
• Phone a few and interview them on the telephone
• Ask about the way they work, see if it resonates with you
• Tell them what you are looking for
• Think about their location for easy access
• Ask about their charges and conditions
• Select at least two and go for one session to see if you feel you would like to work with them

• You will have a sense in your body which one suits you just now, not necessarily the one that smiles most