The first step to receiving treatment is to find a therapist. If you live in the UK, learn more about how to find a therapist, different types of therapy available, and resources that may help.
Find A Therapist: UK Mental Health And Therapist Resources
Medically reviewed by Julie Dodson, MA, LCSW
Updated May 5th, 2025 by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Please be advised, the below article might on finding a UK therapist mention trauma-related topics that include suicide, substance use, or abuse which could be triggering to the reader.
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Looking for mental health support?
What are therapy and counselling?
If the time feels right for you to take actionable steps to improve your health and well-being, you may have considered talking to a therapist or counsellor. Therapy and counselling are ways for you to explore your thoughts and feelings under the guidance, support, and supervision of a qualified mental health professional in the form of talk therapy.
Since therapists and counsellors can offer a neutral but compassionate outside perspective on your life, they’re often able to provide honest feedback and insight. Their training in the field of psychology also equips them to observe and understand complex emotions and patterns of thinking and offer strategies to help you meaningfully improve your health and well-being. A counselling and therapy session may vary in duration and frequency depending on the person and their needs, but they often range from 30–60 minutes and may take place as often as once a week.
What do therapy and counselling exercises involve?
In addition to offering a listening ear and guidance during sessions, therapists and counsellors often provide clients with techniques to practice outside of sessions too. These may make your mental health journey a more active process. These practices could be things like writing about highs and lows during your week or practicing deep breathing exercises when you feel yourself getting stressed. The exercises you are encouraged to do during or outside of therapy sessions will typically depend on your unique needs and the type of therapy your provider practices.
Types of therapy and therapists to consider in your search
The type of therapy that you choose will often depend on your personal needs and preferences. For example, someone who is looking to get support with relationship problems might benefit from a different modality than someone who is in therapy to address past trauma. While you don't necessarily have to go into therapy with a particular modality in mind, it can sometimes help to become familiar with a few of the most popular types so you can better understand what you're looking for and what to expect.
One of the most popular types of counselling: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used and researched forms of therapy. Some of the mental health conditions that can often be addressed with CBT, sometimes in combination with additional interventions, include:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
- Eating disorders
- Substance use disorders
While CBT is a common therapy modality for adults, younger people may also benefit from this approach. In some cases, a therapist may use CBT to help adolescents and children (with consent of their caregiver or parents) experiencing mental health conditions or behavioral disorders.
Psychodynamic counselling for mental health
Psychodynamic therapy is built on the theory that unconscious psychological processes affect our everyday thoughts, feelings, and actions. With this modality, a therapist will often help you recognize and analyze recurring themes in your life dating back to your early childhood. By reflecting on these past experiences, they may help you understand how past experiences might be influencing your current behaviors. While research on this modality is ongoing, some studies suggest that psychodynamic therapy can be as effective as other research-backed forms of therapy in many cases.
Family counselling for relatives or couples
In many cases, the moods and behaviors of your family members can impact or put at risk both your relationships and your own mental health. Family therapy is a way for families to come together and address conflict or improve communication. A family therapist may help members address underlying relational challenges, learn methods of compromise, and find healing and increased harmony together over time.
Find a therapist: UK-specific options and considerations
A 2024 survey reports that approximately a third of adults in the UK sought the help of a mental health counsellor in the past 12 months. These types of professionals can help people address a variety of challenges, from relationship troubles to anxiety, depression, and more. Finding a therapist can seem daunting, but there are many resources and services designed to help you in your search for a specific therapist who is the right match for you. People in the UK may have some unique factors to consider when seeking psychotherapy, since it’s possible for them to receive care through the National Health Service.
Resources to help you find support: United Kingdom therapy types and organizations
The National Health Service (NHS) allows people across the UK to speak with a therapist for free. Many kinds of talking therapies and other psychological therapies with NHS providers may help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and others.
In such cases, an individual looking to receive treatment might consider non-NHS providers. Their services must typically be paid for through non-public insurance or out of pocket. This can be cost-prohibitive for some, though certain providers may offer sliding scale fees.
In addition, some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAPs) that may cover mental health services, and many universities and schools offer mental health support as well. Mental health charities like the Mental Health Foundation and others may be another avenue for those seeking low-cost or free support.
Online accredited therapist and therapy types for mental health
Note also that, for those living with mental health conditions or physical illnesses or disabilities, traveling to and from in-person therapy appointments can be difficult or impossible, representing a barrier to care. In such circumstances, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp can be a great option to find a therapist, since it allows clients to log on to sessions with an accredited, credentialed counsellor remotely from anywhere they have an internet connection. Online counsellors typically practice the same modalities that in-person counsellors do, so you can feel confident in receiving care of a similar type and caliber virtually.
Looking for mental health support?
The research behind online therapy & how to contact a therapist
Research suggests that online therapy can often be an effective form of treatment for various mental and physical health conditions, producing similar results to in-person care in many cases. For example, in one study involving adults, researchers report that online CBT helped reduce symptoms of depression and improve quality of life.
Takeaway
Talk therapy can be a useful tool for improving mental health. If you’re based in the UK and are seeking a therapist, there are some specific considerations to be aware of. Talk therapy is free in the UK for those who qualify for National Health Service (NHS) care. Alternatives can include seeking cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or another type through a non-NHS provider, a mental health charity, or an online therapy service.
Frequently asked questions
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
How to find a registered mental health professional in the United Kingdom?
Free mental health therapy is available in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS). Other options include paying for non-public therapy with insurance or out of pocket, or paying to see a therapist through a virtual platform, like BetterHelp.
How to find a qualified or UKCP-registered therapist in the UK?
You can find a qualified or UKCP-registered therapist by searching the UKCP or BACP directories, which list accredited professionals by specialty and location. You can also use NHS services or trusted online platforms to connect with a licensed therapist or counsellor.
What are the types of therapy and psychotherapy services available in the UK?
Therapy services in the UK include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, person-centred counselling, and more. These services are available through the NHS, independent therapists, or online platforms offering virtual psychotherapy.
- A CBT therapist helps individuals challenge negative thought patterns and develop practical coping skills.
- A psychodynamic therapist focuses on exploring unconscious influences and past experiences that shape current behavior.
- You can work with a therapist online or in person, depending on your needs and comfort level.
- To find a therapist who specializes in a specific issue, you can search accredited directories like BACP or UKCP.
What are common mental health issues and problems and how can accredited psychotherapists help?
Common issues include anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and relationship problems. Accredited psychotherapists help by offering evidence-based approaches tailored to the individual, guiding them through emotional difficulties in a safe and ethical environment.
Common mental health concerns addresses in therapy
People seek therapy for many reasons, ranging from daily stress and burnout to more complex issues like PTSD or chronic anxiety. Whether it's navigating life transitions or healing from past trauma, therapy provides a structured, supportive space to work through emotional and psychological challenges.
Is there a version of BetterHelp for the United Kingdom or UK members?
BetterHelp is an international service that’s also available to individuals in the UK. BetterHelp partners with over 1,000 therapists in the United Kingdom so that clients based in the region can receive mental health care virtually. Once you sign up, you can be matched with a therapist based in the UK who fits your needs and preferences, making it easy to receive care from the comfort of your home.
How much does it cost to see a therapist in the UK?
Mental health therapy is free through the NHS in the UK. You can also choose to connect with independent therapists. Pricing for individual therapy may be as low as £30 per session but can go much higher. Those in the UK can also opt for online therapy through a site like BetterHelp.
Is BetterHelp free in the UK?
BetterHelp is not free in the UK. Subscriptions start as low as £65, billed every 4 weeks. Once you join the BetterHelp website, you can refine your therapist search and be matched with a professional who fits your needs and preferences.
What is the difference between a therapist and a counsellor?
While many people use these terms interchangeably, there are some differences. A counselor typically helps clients with short-term problems and is more solution-focused. Meanwhile, a therapist may dive into a client’s past, evaluate how it continues to affect them in the present, and guide them through a longer healing process.
Can I get therapy for free in the UK?
You can get therapy for free in the UK. The NHS covers mental health therapy, although wait times can vary.
Why is therapy so expensive in the UK?
Therapy with a independent therapist can be expensive in the UK. This may be due to the therapist’s credentials, high demand, the city in which they are located, and other factors.
How personal is therapy in the UK?
Therapy in the UK is usually seen as highly classified. It is subject to the constraints of ethical practice and English law.
Is therapy covered by insurance in the UK?
Therapy is covered by the NHS in the UK. However, individuals can also choose to seek therapy with a independent therapist, and this is not covered.
Is speech therapy free in the UK?
The NHS covers Speech and Language Therapy in the UK. This means that UK residents and their children can access these services for free.
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