How to pick a counsellor/therapist from the BACP register

[Turtletunes]

I'd like to start therapy as part of helping me escape my marriage and I've looked at the BACP register of counsellors but there are so many on there, how do you choose one? Pick one whose photo looks normal and isn't too far away?! They all seem to have experience of dealing with all issues, according to their own profiles. How qualified are psychotherapists as opposed to psychologists I wonder? I'm just a bit tenuous about confiding in someone who turns out to be another gaslighter/narcissist under the guise of a psychotherapist, I'm not sure I could cope with that. Has everyone who has been to a counsellor found it helpful?

My mum is a psychotherapist and one of her big gripes over the last few years is that the way the BACP register is nowadays. Someone can do a short course in something which is then out on their portfolio as "experience" (for example a 2 day workshop in couples counselling) and that can read the same as someone who has done extensive training in the same topic - eg my mum wouldn't even list a 2 day workshop, but maybe something if she'd done a 6 month course in it.

Be very careful, try to find profiles with more detail listing exactly the type of experience they have - the training. Anyone can register themselves on BACP, but psychotherapists should have quite a lot of hours of supervision to support them so it might be worth asking them that question - how many hours supervision they do as part of their CPD. A ballpark figure would be a couple of hours individual and a couple of hours group/peer supervision every month for someone with a full time case load.

Another reference point is looking for if they are also registered with UKCP which is a more governed body.

Personally, I think if you were attending as a couple then face to face is better. But if you are attending alone then it might be worth looking for experience and if they zoom as opposed to who ever is closest. My mum has people that travel 2-2.5 hours to see her face to face because of her reputation and even people in foreign countries that she sees who have perhaps moved but not wanted to stop seeing her, or been recommended.

Recommendations are always good too - I've seen a few people in my last who I would never return to or recommend.

Also, generally speaking psychotherapists who have a good reputation rarely have lots of availability. So finding someone who has only a couple of slots free, or possibly even a waiting list for spaces is probably someone who is pretty well sought after.

Anyone can register themselves on BACP

@mightbeyesmightbeno They do need the basic qualification (level 3 I think) and quite a few hours. Not that this proves they're any good really.

@Turtletunes They do tend to (along with their list of everything) imply a specialism, so you could look for those that specialises in couples, then call some if you like their face.

Then you could call a few and chat to them. Some offer an initial half hour session for free or something for you to judge whether you feel you could work with them.

You can always change therapists at any time (giving the amount of notice the previous person requires) if you haven't paid for a block of sessions.

Also, good to meet them? Maybe meet them a few times? Get the vibe? Any sense of discomfort? In a sense you are interviewing them. See how you feel when you leave. Get a sense of if there’s a match. If there isn’t, move on. Alice Miller suggested asking them what made them become therapists, as could be quite revealing, though I doubt most people would have the confidence to ask that.

When I last looked at BACP, I tried to do it also on the basis of the photos. But so many were off-putting, all the inane grins I found very strange….

Thank you everyone. I've just had a look on the UKCP and found a practice quite nearby headed up by a psychologist with other psychologists and psychotherapists working there which looks quite good, I think. None of them are on the BACP at all though! It's all v confusing.

You don't have to be on both, UKCP is more highly regarded so some people choose 1 over the other to avoid having to pay double registration fees basically. Several hundred per year to be on each one.

Well you need someone who is accredited for a start, not just registered, either with the BACP or another regulating body.
I’d advise meeting with a handful to see how it feels, ask them questions about their experience, how they’d work with you etc.

Be very careful, try to find profiles with more detail listing exactly the type of experience they have - the training. Anyone can register themselves on BACP, but psychotherapists should have quite a lot of hours of supervision to support them so it might be worth asking them that question - how many hours supervision they do as part of their CPD. A ballpark figure would be a couple of hours individual and a couple of hours group/peer supervision every month for someone with a full time case load

You need a minimum level 4 certificate/ degree to be added to the BACP register, this must include a min of 150 hours of practice.

I hate the counsellors who tick every single box on the profile for the people they work with, they clearly do not have expertise in every area.

I would read the individual profiles and see what they actually say and see if any stand out. A lot also give you a free phone call to see if you are a good fit.

It's tricky because psychotherapy isn't a protection profession, so all the "governing" bodies are effectively membership groups - psychotherapists don't need to join and membership/accreditation doesn't mean a huge amount in terms of knowledge and experience. Qualifications range from a 2 year Diploma course to Master's level training and courses all look quite different.

I'd look firstly at their qualifications, they should tell you the level they have studied to, Post Grad Diploma or Masters level is what I'd look for. Then look at how long it's been since they qualified and if they tell you where they've worked, eg private practice, within an organisation etc. Look at what they say they want to offer, eg some are very relationship based, some will actively focus on change - what form of therapy to they offer, CBT is good for looking at symptomatic stuff that gets in the way of day to day living (eg with anxiety or depression), psychodynamic and person centred tend to be more relationship based therapies where you have space to talk about underlying issues etc.

Speak to them before you arrange to meet them. Ask about their experience, do they have experience in working with the things you need to talk about, what made them decide to become a therapist, have their had their own long term therapy (it's ok to ask, any therapist worth their salt should have had a decent amount of therapy themselves, it's an essential part of training). Do they have clinical supervision, how often - monthly is an absolute minimum. Ask them how they work, and why they think that might be helpful to you.

At the end of the day, the relationship you have with them is key, if you don't click when you speak to them don't take it any further - it's a perfectly good reason to not book a therapist or to leave therapy. Finally, avoid those who tick every box in the "issues" list, or every box in the "types of therapy" box, no-one can work with everyone and too many modalities suggest they know a lot about everything but not much of anything.

I'm a therapist and that's how I decide when I'm looking for a personal therapist.

Hi,

Also check the HCPC register. Psychologists often won't be on the BACP or UKCP register but have to be on registered with the HCPC. Psychologists often advertise themselves on Psychology Today and are trained to a doctorate level.

I'd also suggest asking friends, the vast majority of my clients come from personal recommendation by previous clients. It's not something people speak about too openly but I'd lay money you know someone who has been in therapy (but may not speak about it) who may be able to suggest a good therapist.

You'll find therapeutic professions can be riddled with snobbery. Find someone accredited by BACP if you want more experience not just registered but honestly, it's not just about the competence of the therapist but how good a fit you are. I've seen a clinical psychologist in the past and now see a counsellor. There was very little difference between the two in practical terms. In fact ironically the psychologist completely overlooked my ADHD 🙄 The counsellor supported me through assessment.

First question is what kind of psychotherapy you are seeking.

CBT? You might do best with a clinical psychologist.
Person centred?
Psychodynamic? If this one then check your therapist is registered at www.bpc.org.uk. This means they've done an in-depth training and a lot of personal therapy.

Thanks everyone, that's all helpful. Like the OP I just didn't know where to start with the BACP register.

You have to have at least a level 4 qualification to join BACP - plus they are rigorous with their membership - they are very clear which are student members (who aren't allowed to offer sessions) and ones who are qualified but not accredited

If they are qualified they will have done at least 150 supervised counselling hours

People are eligible for accreditation after 750 hours and then have to do a portfolio

However, I have over 12,000 hours of supervised practise and have never bothered doing my accreditation as I've literally had a full practice since I joined (I've even supervised other therapists through accreditation without doing it)

A few years ago (maybe 10?) BACP offered a certificate to practice confirmation instead of doing the accreditation- it was basically an exam - as the government were making noises to say everyone must be accredited - so I did that as it was only a day out my life rather than taking time off

The best thing to do to whittle down your list is to visit a few closest to you - don't underestimate travelling time or parking

And then go with someone you click with, who you think is listening to you compassionately and offering you warmth

Good luck in your search

Some training courses do not require personal therapy during training. Personally I think it is really important that therapists have sat in the other chair, so to speak. I "clicked" with my therapist almost immediately but had met with others beforehand and not felt a connection.

As a previous poster said, psychologists won't be on the ukcp or bacp directories so if you want a psychologist you would need to look on Psychology Today (which confusingly also lists counsellors and psychotherapists).

@garlicandsapphires Well you need someone who is accredited for a start, not just registered, either with the BACP or another regulating body.

Why??

OP, I suggest you follow links to therapist websites to read more about them and what they offer. Think about what you are looking for and wha sort of person you think you’ll get on with. Make a shortlist and chat to a few to see who you click with. The relationship is the most important thing.

As with PPs, find a psychotherapist not a counsellor. The difference in the intensity and depth of the trainings is vast. A psychologist is a different thing entirely and not really for therapy.

Ask about supervision.

Ask about modality. Personally I would want someone with a psychodynamic background because that works at depth and evidence says that over time has greater success than say person centred. I might consider integrative which draws on multiple approaches but only if they had been practising for many years. I'd avoid cbt - it can be very helpful disrupting behaviours but it doesn't address the roots.

Ask about modality. Personally I would want someone with a psychodynamic background because that works at depth and evidence says that over time has greater success than say person centred. I might consider integrative which draws on multiple approaches but only if they had been practising for many years. I'd avoid cbt - it can be very helpful disrupting behaviours but it doesn't address the roots

^ agree very much with @WinterDeWinter and I’ve tried both psychodynamic-psychoanalytical and person-centred. If you’re not sure OP, I guess you could read up in it first, or even try both

I meant to get across was that I found psychodynamic/psychoanalytic therapy deeper and more satisfying compared to the others.

I would recommend booking sessions with 3 initially. Try them all and see which works for you. If no one works, keep looking. It took me a couple of attempts to find mine. I’ve moved but still use her via phone as a couldn’t find one locally.

CoP is for practitioners whose training meets BACP standards but whose course was not accredited by BACP.

If you only have CoP you are a registered member, you are not an accredited member.

Accreditation requires minimum of 450 practice hours and several written assignments. You may be confusing this with senior accreditation going by your post.

I have done CoP and accreditation. I am an accredited member, you are a registered member.

To the PP saying that anyone can register to join BACP this is not true. To show on their directory you need to have completed a minimum 450 hours of training plus 100 supervised hours. On top of that they also require you to have completed their certificate of proficiency.

On top of this you then have the pleasure of paying monthly to remain a member of the BACP and to be on their directory.

UKCP is not a governing body nor is BACP - they are both professional bodies which you can join.
The term psychotherapist is not protected just like counsellor is not.

A psychotherapist will usually have paid to do a specific type of course that typically lasts around 3 years but costs significantly more than other courses, limiting the accessibility of it to those with available funds. It does not guarantee you a better support, a better guide or a better listener.

My suggestion would be to consider what you actually hope to get from therapy (your end goal) and then look for a therapist (counselling directory is a good place to start) that aligns with your needs.

A good psychotherapist may well suggest an initial one-off session so you and they can assess whether it’s likely to be a positive therapeutic relationship. If they don’t suggest it, you should, and if they are not willing to do that, I’d be inclined to cross them off the list.