Finding a Good Therapist: Top Tips

In Brief: 

• Finding a good therapist can sometimes feel overwhelming

• It may take time to find the right match - this is not a sign of failure

• Understanding your goals for therapy can help you communicate what you want, and need

• Unfortunately, some therapists who advertise are not properly qualified, registered or experienced

• Considering qualifications, professional registration, relevant clinical experience and personal feel is essential

You have made the decision to find a therapist. Instead of feeling relief, you’re overwhelmed by the next step - where do I even start? With countless options, navigating the path to the right therapist can feel daunting. This blog is about helping you feel informed on how to find a therapist who is a good fit for you, and is both qualified, and experienced, to provide you the support you need. While no therapist can, nor indeed should, guarantee a particular outcome, there are a number of factors that can increase the likelihood of finding a good therapist, and benefitting from therapy.  

Why choosing the right therapist matters

The paradox of modern society is that alongside an unprecedented focus on personal development and therapy, there has been a worrying surge in unqualified and unlicensed therapists, particularly in the UK. I’m all for increasing access to high quality, evidence-based psychological therapy but what concerns me, are the exploitative and harmful practices, marketed by therapists with little or no training, experience and who are not registered with a suitable professional body.

Some claim that their own experience alone has led them to be equipped to help people. While others rely solely on a social media following or an engaging website with big promises as proof of their abilities. In the UK anyone can set themselves up as a therapist, psychotherapist, coach or psychologist and charge for their services without proper qualifications, registration or experience. I see the effects of this in my practice, and it has been brought further into view during a recent documentary binge where I saw people being conned and further traumatised on their quest for healing. 

I’m not saying that finding good mental health support is like searching for a needle in a haystack - rest assured, there are a lot of excellent therapists out there. It is true though, that you will have a better chance of receiving effective therapy if you have knowledge of what to look for, and where to look.

What makes a good therapist?

1. Qualifications

Today’s therapists have varied qualifications and come from different educational backgrounds, and this can be really confusing. Qualifications show a level of expertise and training, indicating a particular set of skills and knowledge. A Clinical Psychologist typically undergoes training for eight years which includes an undergraduate, often a masters and a doctorate level degree. Questions to ask:

• What are your core qualifications?

• Where did you complete your training?

• Have you completed additional training post-qualification?

2. Clinical Experience

Therapist’s previous experience of working with people can be varied and is not always transparent on websites or socials. Some training routes include clinical experience while others do not. Clinical Psychologists have experience of working in a wide range of clinical settings throughout training. In my experience, therapists who have had supervised, hands-on experience in diverse settings are particularly adept at tailoring evidence-based approaches to your unique individual needs.Questions to ask:

• Have you worked in different clinical settings?

• Do you have clinical experience in my problem area?

• Do you receive regular supervision?

3. Professional Registration & Licensing 

The next step is checking out your potential therapist’s professional registration with a governing body. In the UK, Norway and many other countries, the title “Clinical Psychologist” is a legally protected title. This means, to practice as a Clinical Psychologist there are tight regulations and requirements. For example, you have to to have regular supervision, keep up to date with research, attend ongoing training, follow a code of ethics and maintain professional standards. 

• Are you registered with a professional body? What is your license number?

• UK Clinical Psychologists governing body - - Health Care Professional Council (Note: it is not the British Psychological Society BPS)

• Norwegian Clinical Psychologists governing body  - Norwegian Health Directorate/ Norwegian Psychological Association

4. Personal Skills

I once came across the analogy that finding a therapist is akin to dating. I don’t know exactly how you approach dating but I’ll take a guess that you might go on a few dates to find out what the person is like, their style, how they approach life and then make a decision on you whether might want to see them again. At the core, therapy involves developing a relationship, and because therapy can be tough, it is important that you get on with that person. This doesn’t necessarily mean instant trust, but a sense of safety and ease that develops over time. It’s worth paying attention to your feelings and instincts during the initial sessions - do you feel heard, seen, and safe? Other key qualities to look out for:

• Empathy

• Non-judgmental & Accepting

• Transparency & Genuineness

• Respectful & Reliable

5. Understanding of Social & Cultural Diversity

A good therapist understands diverse cultural, relational, social and identity perspectives. They are curious about the interplay of different aspects of your identity, and they prevent their own biases from intruding in your therapy. What to look for: 

• Experience working with clients from your cultural or social background

• Curiosity and openness to learning about your unique perspective

• Sensitivity to differences in communication and values

Getting Started

• Goals: What do you want to achieve in therapy? What is the main priority? If therapy was to be helpful, what exactly would be different for you?

• Preferences: Do factors like gender, cultural background, faith, social identity matter for you in a therapist? Do you want to try a specific therapy (e.g. EMDR, ACT, Schema Therapy, CFT, CBT)

• Budget: What is your budget? Bear in mind that frequent sessions are most effective, especially to start with (i.e. one session monthly to spread costs is often a false economy!)

• Logistics: Can you commit to attending regularly, and engaging with the process? Do you need a therapist close to home or do you have a private space for online therapy?

• Previous experience of therapy: What worked well and what did not work well? How can this inform what you now need?

Where to Look

• Professional Body Websites: Use “Find a Psychologist” tools from organisation’s like HCPC or Norwegian Psychological Association

• Online Directories: Platforms like Psychology Today, Counselling Directory, Spear allow filtering by location, specialty, or therapy type

• GP Recommendations: Ask health professionals if they know of anyone in their reliable networks

• Personal Recommendations: While helpful, ensure the therapist suits your unique needs

In Summary

Several factors come together to make a therapist a good fit. Finding the right therapist involves considering qualifications, professional registration, clinical experience, cultural awareness and personal skills . Remember, it’s okay if it takes some time to find the right fit. While frustrating, trial and error can be part of the process and its never a sign of you being beyond the point of help. Doing your due diligence beforehand can increase the likelihood of finding the right therapist and ultimately, having a better experience in therapy.