A practical guide
Choosing a counsellor
A profile can help you find a starting point. You do not need to choose perfectly: how it feels to talk together matters, and you can ask questions along the way.
You can choose, or ask us to find one for you
With Choose Your Own Counsellor, you browse our qualified associate counsellors and choose someone yourself. With Let Us Find Your Counsellor, we help find a suitable counsellor based on your needs and availability.
You do not need to choose a person or identify a specialism if you use the Let Us Find Your Counsellor route. Both routes follow the same ethical, safeguarding and professional standards. Compare the routes and fees.
What to look for in a profile
Experience: have they worked with concerns or experiences that feel relevant to yours?
Approach: what do they say sessions are like, and does that sound comfortable for you?
Credentials: what qualification and professional membership or registration do they list?
Practical fit: can you attend at their available times, online or in Birmingham?
You do not need to understand every counselling term. Ask for a plain explanation if something is unclear. A list of specialisms describes experience; it is not a test of whether your difficulties fit a label.
Questions you can ask
“What might sessions with you be like?”
“Have you supported people with something similar?”
“Can we talk about what I need to feel comfortable?”
You can also ask about communication preferences or access needs. A counsellor should be clear about the support they can offer and its limits.
How the first appointment can help
The first appointment gives you an experience of talking together. Notice whether you feel listened to, treated respectfully and able to ask questions. You do not have to feel completely at ease straight away; trust can develop over time.
It is a paid counselling session. It does not mean you must continue indefinitely.
Read about your first appointment.
If it does not feel right
If you feel able to, tell your counsellor what is troubling you. Sometimes discussing a concern helps you work together more comfortably.
You can also contact the team to discuss a different counsellor or your next steps. Changes depend on suitability and availability; you do not have to ignore a concern to keep counselling going.