How do I find a good counsellor or therapist?

[Celery]

I'm not depressed, but I am unhappy, stuck in rut, have lots of issues from childhood holding me back.

I don't want to go through the NHS, I don't want to ask friends and acquaintances if they can recommend anyone. So how do I find somebody decent? How do I know if a random name picked out of the yellow pages will be worth my time and money?

A good place to start is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Website where you can search according to your location and the types of issues that you wish to address / discuss.

what Tatty said - don't be afraid to grill them a bit over the phone to find out whether you think you can work with them and whether they can offer what you want.

just came to say pretty much what the other two have already said.

In addition, there may be a provider near you - they usually work as charities - and in return for a dontation, you can be on the regular caseload of a final year student on the Counselling diploma. If you're on a budget and don't know how long this might take to resolve, then it can be a good option.

There are also good quality services to be had in the voluntary sector, check out your local noticeboards and stuff. National charities with local groups, for example. Some national charities that we would usually think as being for children, do adult groups for those dealing with childhood issues.