Free guides to understanding therapy and counselling
This page gathers free, plain explanations of what counselling and psychotherapy are, how the main approaches differ, what happens in a first session, and how to find someone qualified. The guides come from the NHS, UK professional bodies and public health sites in Germany and France.
There are dozens of named approaches. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is structured and focused on changing patterns of thinking and behaviour now. Person-centred counselling, the approach I train in, is non-directive: the counsellor follows your lead and offers empathy and acceptance rather than advice. Psychodynamic therapy looks at how earlier relationships shape the present.
Research across many studies finds that the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist matters a great deal, whatever the approach. For some problems, specific methods have the strongest evidence, such as trauma-focused therapy for PTSD.
Feeling unsure about therapy is normal. Asking questions about training, approach and cost before you book is sensible, and a good therapist will welcome them. If you are in crisis now, therapy is not the first step: please use the helplines page. You can also read about how I work or try the is online counselling right for me? tool.
Talking therapies
NHS (UK National Health Service) · Guide · psychoeducation · English
Describes the main talking therapies offered in the NHS, including guided self-help, CBT, counselling, interpersonal therapy, couples therapy, EMDR and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. It explains self-referral in England and how to check that a private therapist belongs to an accredited professional register.
A neutral, clear overview from a public health service, with useful advice on checking credentials.
For: Adults trying to understand the options before getting help · Free to read; NHS website content, not openly licensed for republishing.
What is counselling?
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) · Guide · psychoeducation · English
Explains what counselling is and is not, what a typical 50-minute session looks like, what happens at the first meeting, and how to get the most from it. It also says plainly that you can stop or change therapist if it does not feel right.
From the UK's largest professional body for counsellors, and reassuring for anyone nervous about starting.
For: People considering counselling for the first time · Free to read; not openly licensed.
Types of counselling and psychotherapy
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) · Guide · psychoeducation · English
An A to Z of therapy approaches, from CBT, psychodynamic and person-centred counselling to EMDR, Gestalt, integrative and family therapy, each with a short plain explanation. Some entries include short articles by practising therapists.
The most complete free glossary of approaches we found, written for the public.
For: Anyone confused by therapy labels · Free to read; not openly licensed.
How to get therapy
BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) · Guide · psychoeducation · English
Sets out the different routes into therapy, through health services, work, education, charities or privately, and the ways therapy can be delivered. It has sections on choosing a therapist and on getting therapy if you have a disability or do not speak English.
Practical and honest about the different routes, with UK detail that also helps you know what to ask elsewhere.
For: People ready to look for a therapist · Free to read; not openly licensed.
What is psychotherapy?
UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) · Guide · psychoeducation · English
Covers what psychotherapy can help with, how it works, the main types, what happens in sessions and a little of its history, with a separate page of frequently asked questions.
A second professional body's view, useful alongside BACP's for understanding the difference between counselling and psychotherapy.
For: People wondering whether psychotherapy is right for them · Free to read; not openly licensed.
Psychotherapies and psychological treatments
Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) · Guide · psychoeducation · English, Arabic, Bengali, Welsh, other languages (selected leaflets)
An explanation of psychological treatments from the professional body for psychiatrists, covering CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy and other approaches, and how they fit with other care. Some of the College's information is translated into other languages.
Authoritative and balanced, written for patients and families.
For: Adults wanting a medical-side explanation of psychological treatments · Free to read; not openly licensed.
Was ist eine Psychotherapie und wie läuft sie ab?
gesundheitsinformation.de, Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), Germany · Guide · psychoeducation · German
A German guide to the aims of psychotherapy, when it is a good option, the forms covered in Germany and how to begin. A linked page explains who is allowed to offer psychotherapy there.
Independent and clear about the German system, which many newcomers find confusing.
For: German speakers considering therapy in Germany · Free to read; not openly licensed.
Les psychothérapies
Psycom (French public mental health information service) · Guide · psychoeducation · French
An introduction to psychotherapy in French, with linked brochures on CBT, psychoanalytic, group and family systemic therapies, and guidance on finding a psychotherapist. It notes that the title of psychotherapist is legally protected in France.
A public mental health information service, supported by Santé publique France, with no commercial interest.
For: French speakers wanting to understand therapy options in France · Free to read; all rights reserved by Psycom.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The words overlap a lot, and in the UK they are often used interchangeably. Counselling is sometimes shorter and focused on current difficulties, while psychotherapy can be longer and look at deeper patterns. In some countries, such as France and Austria, psychotherapist is a protected title with specific legal requirements. Always ask about training and registration.
What is person-centred counselling?
It is an approach developed by Carl Rogers. The counsellor does not diagnose or direct you. Instead they offer empathy, acceptance and honesty, so that you can explore what matters to you at your own pace. It suits people who want space to think and feel rather than homework or techniques.
How do I know if a therapist is properly qualified?
Check that they belong to a recognised professional body, such as BACP or UKCP in the UK, and ask about their training, supervision and experience with your kind of difficulty. In other countries, look for the national register. Trainees should tell you they are in training and supervised.
Is CBT better than other types of therapy?
CBT has the most research behind it for many conditions, partly because its structured format is easier to study. For problems like PTSD or OCD, specific methods are recommended. For many everyday difficulties, studies suggest different approaches often help to a similar degree, and the relationship with your therapist matters a great deal.