How do you find a good counsellor?

[confusedmum2one]

Hi

I would really like to find a good counsellor but haven't a clue where to start.
Initially this would be for me to discuss my childhood and my personal flaws such as controlling behaviour and jealousy. Then perhaps for my DH to attend aswell for relationship counselling.

Thanks

I was referred to an in-practise counsellor by my GP and they were v good. Don't know how you go about finding one otherwise but would be keen to hear what anyone reccomends

Thanks SBDH, I don't really want to go through the Doctor - live in a small place where everyone seems to know everything even with patient confidentiality!

FF - do you know if counsellors have a governing body or anything? Is it one of those professions you don't actually need a qualification in it to do it IYKWIM?

Thanks FF - I'll look online YP as we haven't had a paper one since we moved in

Hi, I have just posted onm your other thread. If you are on mat leave check if your company has an Employee Assistance Programme. If they do it should include counselling sessions, usually 4-6 free ones and it is all confidential.

Good luck

Hi KezzaG - just missed you on the other thread. I'll phone HR after lunch to get the number.
I had forgotten that it was available to me.

It is the British Institute of Psychotherapists that I think you are referring to. I just looked on Yell.com and picked one as near to where I live as possible whose approach I liked the look of. There are various types of model they use and it should say what type they practice, mine does integrative and it is an approach that works for me whereas "person-centered" didn't once in the past.

My intention was to speak to a few and "interview" them but I really liked the first person I spoke to and they have been really good for me so intuition is probably as good as anything when choosing.

Good luck, and sorry you are having all these troubles (read your other thread).

Sorry, just seen your post below! EAR wold be a good option if it is available to you and I think they only use BIP registered therapists (but not certain).

Pages, whats EAR?
thanks for your reply, I've already phoned a couple but didn't sound like they were right for me and one good one but waiting list is 8 wks (which is prob gd sign?)

all counsellors should be registered with the BACP (british association of counselling professionals). Also you may not know if your counsellor is right for you until you start the process ...

from your other post- do you think you might benefit from couples counselling with Relate? Other than that the BACP website is the best place to start. I would recomend trying to find someone with an integrative aproach (basicaly menas they don't rigidly follow one theory but use whats best for client). Ringing a few up/or meeting one or two to see who you gel with is important too.
Good luck

Oh, sorry it is the Employee Assistance Programme - I think it is known as EAR. Did you ask the one who has a waiting list of 8 weeks if they could recommend anyone else? It is true you may not know if they are right till you start the process.

Hi

Hettie, DH said last night he wont go to counselling, he doesn't want to tell a stranger all about us. I will probably go alone but feel that it would benefit him aswell if only to understand me a bit more

Thanks for your replies