Neither term is currently regulated in the UK, so in theory a practitioner can state they provide Counselling or Psychotherapy depending on their preference. There are no official, clear definitions of Counselling or Psychotherapy. Some people refer to "Counselling" when they mean shorter term, more focused work, and "Psychotherapy" when they mean long-term depth work. So one might seek Counselling to process bereavement or a work issue, and Psychotherapy to work on deep-seated anxieties or relationship patterns. However, this is a simplistic view and counsellors also provide long-term, complex work, while some psychotherapists might prefer to specialise on shorter-term, focused work. Instead of a practitioner's title, there are much more relevant factors to help you choose the right person. Read more in "How to choose a counsellor".

Every person and every piece of work is different. Most therapists will have an initial consultation with you, to learn a little bit about you and vice versa, and get a sense of what the work might look like. If you both think you two might be a good fit, weekly sessions commence. Some counsellors offer multiple sessions per week, or a bi-weekly rhythm, short-term work and open-ended sessions. Some clients are looking to tackle a specific issue within a limited time frame, others would like to explore their inner world in an open-ended setting. Others aren't sure and simply want to see where it goes. Your process is personal and unique and you don't have to know where it will lead you, in order to begin.

I believe that everybody can benefit from a space that is theirs to bring whatever they need, and a relationship that is non-judgemental and benevolent. Being properly listened to is a transformative experience. A suited therapist will be attuned enough to facilitate and support your piece of work in a way that is right for you, so that you can get the most out of it, at your pace. However, not everybody is in quite the right headspace to make use of counselling at all times. Some people hold off for various reasons until they feel able to begin this work. For others psychiatric help might helpfully precede or accompany their therapeutic journey. And some people want to dive right in right now. You can discuss any concerns about timing with a potential counsellor in an initial chat and you go from there.

You may have seen many terms such as "person-centred", "psychoanalytic", "integrative", etc. Different types of counselling and psychotherapy have different historical foundations, different emphases, and attract different types of counsellors and clients. This might feel as if it is imperative that a client picks the "right" modality for themselves, to ensure success. Luckily it is not as rigid as that and different modalities overlap in some ways. In an initial session, a counsellor will be able to help you get a sense of how they work and whether that modality might suit you.

The relationships and patterns from childhood and adolescence continue to influence us in the present, often without us realising it. It's about making sense of why we keep finding ourselves in the same situations, are having certain difficult feelings, or are struggling with the same relationship patterns. This approach takes time and isn't about quick fixes, but it offers something deeper: a chance to understand yourself more fully and to shift patterns that have been there for years.

It might be tricky to work out how much therapy will cost you in total, as the length, frequency, and session cost is variable. You would discuss the session fee and frequency with your counsellor in the initial meeting, if you are seeing someone in private practice. Counselling Services (normally charities) may have a sliding scale of fees which start at a lower rate. This makes counselling more accessible, however, clients can usually not choose their counsellor in such an organisation. Some counsellors in private practice also have concessionary slots available. Missed sessions are normally payable, so this is something to factor in to your budget.