It's the New Year – a time when many people want to tackle problems. Therapists can be expensive (waiting for one on the NHS is an option), but they can help you with issues that might be making you unhappy.
● There are a huge variety of psychological therapies. Don't go for a Jungian psychotherapist, for example, before you have seen a more general psychologist first. "A good first place to start is by seeing a clinical psychologist who can direct you to where you need to go," says Dr Jacqueline Hetherton, a clinical psychologist in London. "First you need to be assessed and advised on what sort of therapy you need."
● Decide what sort of help you want. You're not obliged to talk about your early childhood, for instance. "If you just want a bit of your life sorted that's fine," says Hetherton
● Get a professional referral. Word of mouth may seem good, but if a therapist is treating your friend it may impair your privacy and anonymity. Ask your doctor for a referral, or go through a professional organisation.
● Look up the therapist's training and specialism. There's no point in seeing a sex therapist if your problem is general anxiety.
● When you make an appointment you shouldn't have to go into details about why you want to see the therapist. Ideally, they will phone you back to discuss your appointment.
● Ask how many sessions you will need, the type of therapy they are offering you and why, the cost and if you can take a week off to go on holiday without paying. You could ask if your therapist takes notes and what they will do with them.
● Your therapist should be a member of either: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy or the British Psychological Society.
● Phone more than one therapist before choosing one. Therapists charge between £50 and £150 an hour. Some professional organisations have reduced-fee schemes.
● At your first appointment you should do most of the talking. Are you comfortable in the room you're being seen in? Ideally it should have a private entrance and you shouldn't bump into people in the waiting room.
● After the first session, assess how you feel. If you come away feeling unsure, don't return. You need to ask yourself if you can be open with this person, tell them private things, trust them. Do you like the way they talk and listen to you? Do you think they can help?
● Many people do not find the right therapist at first so do not give up. Try again.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association of Psychotherapists
British Psychoanalytic Council
• This article was amended on 4 February 2011 to add another registering body for psychotherapists.
