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Original poster

Struggling to get private therapy

38 replies

gentlemum · 16/01/2026 13:29

I’m looking for private face to face therapy, specifically looking at psychotherapy, but therapists seem to either never respond or if they do they’re fully booked. Or the details they have online aren’t correct, like they don’t actually work face to face or in the evenings. I’m sure I’d have more chance finding someone for online therapy but I just don’t like the disconnect with online appointments. I’ve had online counselling before and really didn’t like it. It’s a lot to research and find someone I think would be good, reach out to them, only to be told no or they don’t respond. Why don’t these therapists update their online profile to say they’re fully booked?! I’m getting more despondent about it all and feeling hopeless.

Has anyone else found these difficulties? Should I keep persevering? Do these therapists ever actually take on new clients or just have the same ones for years?!

OP posts:
Weyoun14 · 17/01/2026 08:54

Do NOT do pseudotherapy recommended by a sranger online. Also counselling directory and BACP both list people who arent properly trained (saying this here usually flushes them out to fight) UKCP and BPC (psychoanalytic council) only list fully trained psychotherapists, so just perservere there.

If people are full, but they seem good, ask about their waiting list.

Eyesopenwideawake · 17/01/2026 07:20

@gentlemum I am a CONTROL practitioner! I do offer face to face sessions but only if you're here in central Portugal 😊

Original poster
gentlemum · 16/01/2026 23:08

Thanks all! I’ve looked at some other directories to branch out and sent a few more messages in the hope I hear back.

@EyesopenwideawakeI’ve looked up about the CONTROL practitioners and it looks really interesting! Do you have personal experience of it?

@therapist78thank you for your insight on it. I’m in south east England, I’ve been looking on BACP, UKCP, and counselling directory. I’m getting a bit confused by all the different terminology and people say they use a psychodynamic counselling approach but their training doesn’t list anything about psychodynamic therapy?

OP posts:
therapist78 · 16/01/2026 18:43

I am a UKCP private therapist. The UKCP directory is sadly quite hard to use, so it’s difficult to keep up to date. And some therapists did online only in Covid. Renting a room is really expensive, so it’s tempting to offer online only.
If you look at counselling directory, you can filter by UKCP members.
I am very busy, and as there are far fewer UKCP therapists than others, we do tend to be quite booked up. It’s no excuse not to reply to you though. Also, if you don’t live near a city where UKCP training is offered, it’s harder to find someone. I had the same problem myself when looking.
There will be someone for you. If you let me know where you are looking, I might be able to give you some pointers.

Changefromsugartolard · 16/01/2026 17:08

This isn’t an option unless you are filthy rich but the lead times for therapy at The Priory are not too long. Probably because it costs £150 per session if selffunding 😭

semideponent · 16/01/2026 14:53

I would use one of the popular platforms to search - such as Counselling Directory. As a poster said above, you can filter by area, medium etc. Most practitioners will put evidence of professional registration on their profile (and CD does cross check as a barrier to entry).

It''s also absolutely fine to contact someone and ask for professional reg number before going further. You can check this directly with the organisation they're registered with.

Eyesopenwideawake · 16/01/2026 14:43

Roughly where in the UK are you? Most CONTROL practitioners can work face to face and offer a free initial consultation.

LaurieFairyCake · 16/01/2026 14:33

Try Counselling Directory, you can search by area plus on the top right of the profile it says whether they’re taking on new clients and you can filter by face to face 😊

grizzlyoldbear · 16/01/2026 14:15

Hello,
I'm sorry it's been so hard.
Try the BACP Directory, Psychology Today, Welldoing.org
Like the other poster said, group practices will more likely accommodate face to face.
Best of luck

Original poster
gentlemum · 16/01/2026 14:11

PermanentTemporary · 16/01/2026 13:34

I’d keep persevering. I agree demand is high and it can feel a huge exhausting job just to get into the room with someone - and you don’t even know they’re the right person yet. But the potential payoff is so great that it’s worth it.

I prioritised group practices on the principle they’d be a bit more reliable to contact?

I had no idea it was so hard! I waited on someone’s waiting list for four months and they’ve now stopped working so that was a waste of time and I had no idea how difficult this process would be. I don’t just want to go with anyone who is available if they’re not the right person. I’m not in a position to spend hundreds on therapy and then it not be successful and go and start again with someone else.

OP posts:
Original poster
gentlemum · 16/01/2026 14:10

Evaporateandlisten · 16/01/2026 13:32

That’s frustrating. Where are you looking?

I’m looking at the UKCP website and searching by my local area. Starting to exhaust the options there! If I don’t get the right feel from the person’s profile I haven’t been contacting them, maybe I’m being too selective..

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 16/01/2026 13:34

I’d keep persevering. I agree demand is high and it can feel a huge exhausting job just to get into the room with someone - and you don’t even know they’re the right person yet. But the potential payoff is so great that it’s worth it.

I prioritised group practices on the principle they’d be a bit more reliable to contact?

Evaporateandlisten · 16/01/2026 13:32

That’s frustrating. Where are you looking?