Counselling vs Therapy vs Psychotherapy: What’s the Difference?
Counselling, therapy and psychotherapy overlap, but they are not identical. What each involves, who provides it in the UK and how to choose what suits you.
Your guide to talking therapies
Getting support should feel less daunting.
Plain-English guides to counselling and therapy in the UK: what they are, how to find the right person and what to expect when you start.
What do you need help with?
- AnxietyCounselling for Anxiety: What Helps
- Low mood and depressionCounselling for Depression: How It Helps and What to Expect
- Panic attacksPanic Attacks: What Helps in the Moment and Long Term
- Grief and lossGrief Counselling: How It Works and When It Helps
- RelationshipsCouples Counselling: When and How It Helps
- TraumaTherapy After Trauma: Your Options
- BurnoutBurnout: Signs, Causes and Recovery
- Self-esteemCounselling for Low Self-Esteem: How Therapy Can Help
- Someone you’re worried aboutHow to Support Someone Who Won’t Get Help
Starting therapy, step by step
Decide whether counselling could help
Ten signs counselling could help: persistent low mood or worry, struggling to cope, relationship problems, grief, burnout, and when to seek urgent support.
Find the right counsellor
How to find a counsellor in the UK: NHS Talking Therapies and self-referral, private counselling costs, low-cost options and checking registration.
Know what happens in your first session
Nervous about your first counselling session? What usually happens, the questions you may be asked, confidentiality and how to make it work for you.
Types of therapy, explained
All types of therapy →CBT Explained: What to Expect From Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy explained: how CBT works, what sessions involve, homework and techniques, what it helps with, how long it takes and its limits.
Person-Centred Therapy Explained
What person-centred therapy is, Carl Rogers’ core conditions, what sessions feel like, who it helps, how it differs from CBT and how to find a counsellor.
EMDR Therapy Explained: How It Works and Who It Helps
What EMDR therapy is, how its eight phases work, what NICE says, what sessions feel like and how to find an accredited EMDR therapist in the UK.
Psychodynamic Therapy Explained: What to Expect
What psychodynamic therapy is, how it explores patterns from the past, short-term and long-term options, what sessions are like and how to find a UK therapist.
Family Therapy Explained: How It Works and When It Helps
What family therapy is, how systemic therapists work, who attends, what sessions involve, when NICE recommends it and how to find family therapy in the UK.
Group Therapy Explained: Types, Benefits and What to Expect
What group therapy is, the main types from CBT courses to support groups, how sessions work, benefits and drawbacks, and how to find a group in the UK.
More guides
How Much Does Counselling Cost in the UK?
What counselling costs in the UK: typical private fees, free NHS talking therapies, low-cost and sliding-scale options, workplace schemes and questions to ask.
Online Counselling vs Face-to-Face: Which Is Right for You?
Online and face-to-face counselling compared: effectiveness, privacy, convenience and cost, plus how to get the most from video, phone or text sessions.
How to Tell If a Counsellor Is Right for You
How to know if your counsellor is a good fit: signs therapy is working, red flags, how to raise concerns, and how to change counsellors without feeling guilty.
Workplace Counselling and Employee Assistance Programmes
How workplace counselling and Employee Assistance Programmes work: what’s offered, confidentiality, how to access sessions and what to do when they end.
Confidentiality in Counselling and Its Limits
What counselling confidentiality covers in the UK, when a counsellor may need to share information, supervision, notes and data rights, and what to ask.
Talking to Your GP About Your Mental Health
How to talk to your GP about mental health: how to prepare, what to say, questions to ask, what your GP may suggest and what to do if you feel unheard.
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