How do you pick a therapist?

[GrockleBocs]

I have finally decided to try CBT. Intrusive thoughts are out of control now so something needs to change.
I have access to private healthcare who have given me a list of practitioners. How do I choose one? No idea where to start. Some pointers would be great.

i think you can just pick one you like the look of and give them a try. if you don't like them, you can try a different one, some people take a while to find a therapist they click with. and you can look them up on the bacp or ukcp registers which will give you more info about them (presuming you just have a list of names)

I've got brief details of specialisms and one seems 'best'. The thought of having to deal with dumping a therapist, going back to Bupa etc is, unsurprisingly, making me anxious.

yeah i bet it is. hopefully you'll just click with your first choice and it'll all be fine. most counsellors have their own websites with some details on who they are and how they work, so it's worth looking up the one(s) you like the look of for a bit more info. i really hope you find someone you like so you can get some relief

Thank you. I will have a nose about on the internet.

Counselling directory has blurb about them and photos etc. That's helpful to choose. Many offer introductory phone calls to see if you like the sound of them. Have they experience of your particular issue and what roughly how would they envisage treatment going...

An introductory phone call sounds useful. And scary Thanks.

Not sure if you have dealt with Bupa before but I have always found them brilliant. And happily let me get second and third opinions if I’ve not been comfortable with consultants I’ve chosen. So I’m sure the same goes for therapists. All the best

That's good to know gravy. I have dealt with them before but not for a long time and never for anything a subjective as this.

This is from one of several counsellor Organisations but it gives you a flavour of what might be useful to find out. A good therapist will be more than happy to establish if they're the right fit for you. www.bacp.co.uk/media/1918/bacp-how-do-i-choose-therapist-kf2.pdf

Thank you tricky. That's helpful and I'll have a look at the other fact sheets later too.
Not feeling so stupid now as if there's a fact sheet it must be a common issue :) My only experience of talking therapy years ago was terrible so getting this right is a big thing.

I am going to try therapy again as I have realised I've reached an extreme edge without realising. I'm feeling too ashamed to phone the insurer's psych line because both of my kids have had counselling too. I know it shouldn't matter but did you feel like that too op?

My best therapy has been when sitting in with my kids and getting a little therapy bounced off at me. Perhaps because it's not so agonisingly personal!

I hope your choice of therapist goes well, OP. I think the insurers generally have a great list of people.