Explains what talking therapies are, what happens during therapy, how to get the most from therapy and how to find a therapist.
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Getting the most out of therapy can sometimes feel difficult, especially if you're offered a type of therapy that isn't exactly right for you, or worry that you've not been offered enough sessions to make a difference. But there are positive steps you can take to get the most out of any therapy you're offered:
"Therapy can be frustrating at times, but as long as you are ready to look at your problems honestly it can be a really useful space to talk about what's bothering you."
Therapeutic relationships can be challenging. It can take time to build trust and feel comfortable with a therapist, and it's common to have times when you feel frustrated or upset after a session.
But sometimes you might find that, even after trying it for a while, you're really not happy with how it's going. In this case you may want to consider:
If you have a serious concern about any treatment you've received, you can complain.
Your therapist should tell you their complaints process if you ask them for it. If that doesn't feel possible you could ask your therapist what professional body they're registered with, then make your complaint through that body (all professional bodies should have a complaints procedure you can follow).
If you're unsure how you feel and want another opinion before making a complaint, these services can help:
See our legal pages on complaining about health and social care for more information about your rights.
This information was published in June 2018. We will revise it in 2021.
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