Mumsnetters aren't necessarily qualified to help if your child is unwell. If you need professional help, please contact your GP or local mental health support services.
Mumsnetters aren't necessarily qualified to help if your child is unwell. If you need professional help, please contact your GP or local mental health support services.
Child mental health
How to find a private psychologist
itsevolutionbaby · 13/01/2021 22:39
My child have several issues, including severe anxiety and panic attacks.
We are on the waiting list for a CAHMS assessment but was advised to seek private help in the meantime, CBT was suggested.
Now, how do I search for a private psychologist in my local area? Is there a website with a list of practitioners or do I just use google?
Thanks
yawnsvillex · 13/01/2021 22:40
Here you go op https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
I hope you get the help you need 
IdentifyingCreamCake · 13/01/2021 22:42
Make sure that you see someone BABCP accredited. There are lots of people who will claim to offer what you’re looking for, but aren’t properly trained. The link above takes you to people who are BABCP accredited.
Strongswans · 13/01/2021 22:42
I found a psychiatrist for my son last year by a combination of google, searching on private health provider sites, and asking for recommendations on my local Sen Facebook group. The psychiatrist has been amazing so far.
Superstar22 · 13/01/2021 22:50
A Counsellor would be found using the above link.
A Psychologist is different- you would search for them in HCPC or BPS websites.
Psychiatrists are different again- they prescribe medication for mental health issues. They don’t really use talking therapy.
Don’t go looking for CBT- qualified people have all kinds of approaches to use, CBT is just one of them/ the one everyone’s heard of.
I hope you find someone to help you
itsevolutionbaby · 13/01/2021 22:57
Thank you everyone for the extremely useful responses, I will check all those websites.
I really had no clue where to start and what to look for.
Thisisworsethananticpated · 27/01/2021 19:41
Does anyone know her difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist ?
Roseau18 · 03/02/2021 22:17
A psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
A psychologist provides therapy.
blue25 · 03/02/2021 22:21
The first response isn’t actually correct. If you want a Psychologist check on the BPS website. Also check they are HCPC registered.
Katrinawaves · 03/02/2021 22:25
A psychiatrist is a doctor and has a medical degree. They can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication.
A psychologist has a Psychology degree and cannot prescribe medication but can deliver other therapies such as CBT, EMDR or talking therapies.
A counsellor is similar to a psychologist but may not have a degree or any form of qualification. They can’t prescribe but can also offer a range of treatments.
LouJ85 · 04/02/2021 10:40
Qualified psychologist here.
Please bear in mind the BPS website will only return search results of psychologists who are members of the BPS. The HCPC register is more accurate and up to date because it is the regulatory body for psychologists in the U.K. - therefore psychologists practising under protected titles such as "clinical psychologist" have a professional requirement to be registered with them. There is no requirement to be registered with the BPS anymore - that part is optional. So you may narrow your search results just searching via BPS.
Also - being BABCP accredited applies only to CBT therapists. So you'd only be looking for that if you specifically only wanted a CBT therapist. There are many other forms of therapy. For example, if you chose to look for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioners, they'd be accredited with an organisation called ACAT. So accrediting body is therapy specific - and is not the same as regulatory body, which for all qualified psychologists is the HCPC.
Hope that helps somewhat, OP.
Good luck.
drspouse · 05/02/2021 21:23
We found one from a recommendation on a FB group (Anxiety in our Children).
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