Talking therapy and counselling

Explains what talking therapies are, what happens during therapy, how to get the most from therapy and how to find a therapist.

View this information as a PDF (new window)

Useful contacts

Mind's services

Mind's helplines provide information and support by phone and email.
Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services includes talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapists (ACAT)

acat.me.uk
Information about cognitive analytic therapy, including a list of accredited therapists.

Behavioral Tech

behavioraltech.org
Official DBT website. Provides information and resources aimed at professionals.

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)

babcp.com
Information about cognitive behavioural therapy and related treatments, including details of accredited therapists.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.

British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)

bapt.info
Professional body for play therapists. Provides information and details of accredited therapists.

British Psychological Society (BPS)

bps.org.uk
Information about psychology, including a list of chartered psychologists.

The Clinic for Boundaries Studies

professionalboundaries.org.uk
Support services for those harmed by a professional in a position of trust.

Counselling Directory

counselling-directory.org.uk
Online directory of professionally registered counsellors and psychotherapists.

Cruse Bereavement Care

0808 808 1677
cruse.org.uk
Information and support after a bereavement.

DBT Self Help

dbtselfhelp.com
User-led website. Provides DBT information and resources.

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service
Information about local NHS therapy and counselling services, which you can often self-refer to (England only).

Mental Health Matters (MHM)

mentalhealthmatters.com
Provides helplines and talking therapies in some areas of the UK.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

nice.org.uk
Produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare.

NHS Service Finder

nhs.uk/service-search
Searchable database of NHS services in England.

Rape Crisis England & Wales

0808 802 9999
rapecrisis.org.uk
Support for women and girls affected by rape, sexual abuse or any form of sexual violence. Provides details of local centres.

Relate

0300 003 0396
relate.org.uk
Provides help and support with relationships, including counselling, telephone counselling and anonymous live chat.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Health and social care services in England for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment.

UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

psychotherapy.org.uk
Professional body for the education, training and accreditation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Provides online register of psychotherapists offering different talking treatments privately.