Who are psychotherapists?
A psychotherapist is a trained professional who assists people struggling with a variety of emotional and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, negative behaviour patterns, self-esteem and confidence issues.
Psychotherapists can specialise according to their particular area of interest and type of therapy practiced.
What do psychotherapists do?
Psychotherapists aim to help people by talking through their issues. They address underlying causes of problems enabling them to find solutions. They help to raise awareness and understanding of feelings and emotions and equip them to face present and future challenges.
How do they work?
Psychotherapy may be conducted with individuals, couples and families.
A safe, confidential space is provided so that clients feel secure and able to share their problems.
Based on the issues concerned and the progress made, the frequency, duration and number of the sessions may vary.
For short-term immediate issues a few sessions might be all that is needed, but for long-standing or more complex problems it may take months or even years.
How do they help separating parents?
Psychotherapists provide emotional support and help parents to create strategies and coping mechanisms that can help them to negotiate the trauma of a relationship breakdown (including leaving a violent, abusive or coercive relationship) and move towards a positive co-parent relationship, when it is safe to do so.
For short-term immediate issues a few sessions might be all that is needed, but for long-standing or more complex problems it may take months or even years.
How do I find a therapist?
There are three things you need to find out when you are looking for a therapist.
Are they qualified and a member of a professional body?
There are many kinds of therapy, find the one that is right for your situation. Do you need one to one, couple or family therapy? Then check that they hold the correct qualification for that work.
Do they have somewhere safe for you to receive therapy?
Are they insured for the work they do?
You can find a therapist via the registers held by the professional bodies in the UK.
- BACP-British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
- National Counselling Service
- UKCP-UK Council for Psychotherapy
Or there are on-line directories such as
How much does therapy cost?
How much you pay depends on the therapist you choose.
Expect to pay anything from £50 per session.
Some therapists have a free or reduced first session price so make sure you ask when you enquire.
Posted on February 18, 2021
