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Links to Independent
Advice on Therapy
Therapy here refers to both counselling and
psychotherapy. The links below will help you draw up a list of
useful questions to ask possible therapists. As with any other important "purchase", it
helps to have a personal recommendation. But keep in mind that the therapist or
type of therapy that works for one person doesn't always suit another. There are
many approaches to therapy and knowing something of the variety will increase
your chances of selecting well.
Especially if you are choosing a therapist
without a recommendation, it is important to have ideas about what to ask before
you book a session. Even short-term therapy is a significant investment of not
just your money but also of your time and emotional energy. Online Sources of Information About Therapy Mind, the Mental Health Charity, has pages
on:
"Counselling"
(e.g. What is it? How does it work? Different types)
"Making
Sense of Psychotherapy & Psychoanalysis"
"Understanding
Talking Treatments",
The Mental Health Foundation, has a
page called "Talking Therapies ". The
Department of Health
"Choosing Talking Therapies?" a 16 page booklet available online as a pdf file.
This booklet also is available free of charge by writing to DH
Publications, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH; by fax on 01623 724524; or by
emailing doh@prolog.uk.com . An audio
version is available on request. Witness, (formerly POPAN) is a UK
charity set up to deal with professional abuse, including that
committed by counsellors, psychotherapists and hypnotherapists. As
of March 2009, Witness had a limited service due to funding contraints.
Their website provides information but, sadly, support for individuals
may be limited until their financial situation improves. Government Regulation? The Health Professions Council,
set up by the government, is working towards registration of
Counsellors and Psychotherapists. As of March 2009, individuals can
call themselves counsellors and psychotherapists without any or limited training. At
the moment, the most easily understood assurance available to the
public is checking that the practitioner is accredited by either UKCP or BACP. Such
accreditation means that the practitioner will have: - met standards agreed by the professional body
- has regular clinical supervision
- professional insurance
- continues to develop professionally
-
works to and is answerable to an agreed code of ethics and practice.
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