Deciding to start therapy is significant. You've acknowledged something needs to change, and you're ready to do something about it. But then comes the practical question: how do you actually book a therapist?

If you've never done this before, the process can feel unclear. Do you email? Phone? What do you say? How do you know if they're legitimate? What if you pick the wrong person?

This guide walks you through the entire process—from finding potential therapists to sitting in your first session—so you know exactly what to expect and what to do next.

Step 1: Clarify What You're Looking For

Before reaching out to therapists, spend a few minutes getting clear on your priorities. You don't need perfect clarity—therapy helps you figure things out—but some basic parameters make the search easier.

Questions to Consider:

What brings you to therapy?

Anxiety or depression
Relationship problems
Grief or loss
Life transitions
Trauma
General self-development
Something else

You don't need a diagnosis. "I feel overwhelmed and don't know why" is perfectly valid.

What format do you prefer?

In-person (face-to-face in a therapy room)
Online (video call)
Walking therapy (outdoor sessions)
Flexible (mix of formats)

Location (if in-person):

Which area of London works for you?
How far are you willing to travel?
Near work or home?

Timing:

Weekday evenings?
Daytime?
Weekends?

Budget: London therapy typically ranges from £60-£150 per session. Know what you can realistically afford—many therapists offer:

Block discounts (pay for 5 or 10 sessions upfront)
Concessions for students or low income
Sliding scale fees

Therapist characteristics: Some people have preferences about:

Gender
Age/life experience
Cultural background
Specific expertise (trauma, LGBTQ+ affirmative, neurodivergence, etc.)

These preferences are valid. You need to feel comfortable.

Step 2: Find Potential Therapists

Professional Directories (Most Reliable)

BACP Directory (www.bacp.co.uk)

Search by location, issue, approach
All therapists are registered and insured
Free to use
Shows qualifications and specialisms

Counselling Directory (www.counselling-directory.org.uk)

More detailed therapist profiles
Client reviews
Clearer description of approach
Search by postcode or issue

Psychology Today (www.psychologytoday.com/gb)

Popular directory
Good filtering options
Therapist photos and detailed bios

Search Tips

By location:

Search "therapist Fulham" or "counsellor South West London"
Filter results by distance
Check if they offer online (expands options)

By issue:

"Anxiety therapist London"
"Relationship counsellor"
"Trauma therapy"

By approach: If you have a preference (person-centred, CBT, EMDR, etc.), search specifically:

"Person-centred therapist London"
"Transactional analysis counsellor"

What to Look For in Profiles

✅ Proper accreditation:

BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)

✅ Clear information about:

Qualifications and training
Issues they work with
Approach/modality
Fees
Location or online availability

✅ Professional website or profile: Legitimate therapists have clear, professional presence

❌ Red flags:

No professional registration
Vague credentials ("certified life coach" without therapy qualification)
Guarantees of cures or rapid results
Pressure to book immediately

Step 3: Make Initial Contact

Once you've found 2-3 therapists who seem like possibilities, reach out.

Email vs Phone?

Email:

Easier if you feel anxious
Gives you time to think about what to say
Creates written record
Good for initial enquiry

Phone:

Immediate response (if they answer)
Get sense of their manner
Can ask questions directly
Some therapists prefer phone contact

Many therapists offer both. Choose what feels comfortable for you.

What to Say

You don't need a script, but here's a template if you're unsure:

Email Template:

Subject: Enquiry about therapy

Hi [Therapist Name],

I'm looking for a therapist in [location/online] and came across your profile on [directory/website].

I'm struggling with [brief description—e.g., "anxiety and low mood" or "relationship difficulties" or "recent bereavement"]. I'm interested in [person-centred/integrative/their approach] therapy.

Could you let me know:
- Your current availability
- Your fees
- Whether you offer an initial consultation

I'm available [your availability—e.g., "weekday evenings" or "flexible"].

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Phone number]

Phone Script:

"Hi, my name is [name]. I'm looking for a therapist and found your details on [directory]. I'm wondering if you have availability for new clients?"

They'll usually ask:

What brings you to therapy?
What format (in-person/online)?
When are you available?

Be honest but brief. You don't need to explain everything—that's what therapy is for.

Response Time

Most therapists respond within 2 working days. If you haven't heard back in a week, follow up or move on.

Step 4: Initial Consultation

Many therapists offer a free 15-20 minute phone or video consultation before you commit to therapy.

What Is a Consultation?

It's a brief conversation to:

See if you feel comfortable with each other
Ask practical questions
Understand how they work
Decide if you want to proceed

It's NOT:

Therapy itself
A chance to tell your whole story
An assessment or diagnosis

Questions to Ask

About practicalities:

What are your fees?
Do you offer block booking discounts or concessions?
How long are sessions?
What's your cancellation policy?
Are you available [your preferred times]?

About their approach:

How do you typically work with [your issue]?
What should I expect in sessions?
How long might therapy take?
Do you offer short-term or only long-term work?

About fit:

Do you have experience working with [specific issue]?
Have you worked with clients in similar situations?

Trust Your Gut

Pay attention to:

Do they listen well?
Do you feel comfortable with their manner?
Are they clear and direct?
Do they answer your questions?
Does something feel off?

If you feel uncomfortable, that's information. Thank them and try someone else. Finding the right fit matters.

Step 5: Book Your First Session

If the consultation feels good, book your first session.

What You'll Need

To confirm:

Date and time
Location (address if in-person, video link if online)
Fee and payment method
Their cancellation policy

Payment methods vary:

Bank transfer (most common)
Cash (in-person sessions)
PayPal or similar
Some take card payments

Ask in advance so you're prepared.

Before Your First Session

Practical preparation:

Confirm appointment time (add to calendar)
Know how to get there (if in-person) or test video link (if online)
Arrange payment
Arrive 5 minutes early (in-person) or log on a few minutes before (online)

Mental preparation:

Jot down what you want to talk about (optional—you don't need an agenda)
Know that feeling nervous is completely normal
Remember: you can change therapists if it doesn't feel right

Step 6: Your First Session

What Happens

Introductions and admin (5-10 minutes):

Therapist explains confidentiality
Discusses how they work
Reviews practical arrangements
Answers any questions

Exploration (35-40 minutes):

Therapist asks what brought you to therapy
You share as much or little as feels comfortable
Therapist listens and may ask clarifying questions
Begin building relationship

Closing (5 minutes):

Discuss how sessions will work going forward
Agree on frequency (weekly, fortnightly)
Book next session

What to Expect

Therapist will likely ask:

What brings you to therapy now?
What would you like to get from therapy?
Have you had therapy before?
Is there anything I should know about how you prefer to work?

You might feel:

Nervous
Emotional
Relieved
Uncertain
Cautious

All normal. First sessions often feel a bit awkward. That's expected.

How Much to Share

Share what feels comfortable. You don't need to:

Tell your whole life story
Reveal your deepest secrets
Have everything figured out

Start where you are. Trust builds over time.

Common Concerns About Booking Therapy

"What if I pick the wrong therapist?"

You can change. It's not a lifetime commitment. If it doesn't feel right after 2-3 sessions, you can say: "This isn't quite the right fit for me. Could you recommend someone else?"

Good therapists won't take it personally.

"What if I cry?"

You might. That's completely fine and expected. Bring tissues if it helps—therapists always have them anyway.

"What if I don't know what to say?"

Therapists are used to this. They'll gently help you get started. Silence is OK too.

"What if I can't afford ongoing therapy?"

Ask about:

Concessions or sliding scale
Block discounts
Fortnightly sessions (reduces cost)
Low-cost counselling services (longer wait but more affordable)

"What if they judge me?"

Professional therapists are trained not to judge. They've heard everything. Your stuff isn't too much, too weird, or too shameful.

"Do I need a diagnosis or referral?"

No. You can self-refer to private therapy. You don't need:

GP referral
Diagnosis
Assessment
Anyone's permission

Booking Therapy: Practical Timeline

Here's a realistic timeline from first contact to starting therapy:

Week 1:

Research therapists (1-2 hours)
Email or call 2-3 potential therapists

Week 2:

Receive responses
Schedule initial consultation calls
Have consultations (15-20 mins each)

Week 3:

Book first session with chosen therapist
First session happens

Total time: 2-3 weeks from deciding to seek therapy to sitting in your first session.

Some therapists have availability sooner; others have waiting lists of 2-4 weeks.

Quick Booking Checklist

✅ Clarify what you're looking for (issue, format, location, budget) ✅ Search professional directories (BACP, Counselling Directory) ✅ Shortlist 2-3 potential therapists ✅ Email or call to enquire ✅ Book initial consultation (if offered) ✅ Ask questions about approach, fees, availability ✅ Trust your gut about fit ✅ Book first session ✅ Confirm payment method and location/video link ✅ Show up

Where to Find Affordable Therapy in London

If cost is a barrier:

Low-cost counselling services:

WPF Therapy (sliding scale from £10)
The Awareness Centre (from £20)
Therapy in London (from £30)
University training clinics (from £20)

Wait times: Usually 4-12 weeks

NHS:

Free but long waiting lists (months to years for non-crisis)
Access via GP or self-referral to IAPT services

Employee assistance programmes (EAP):

Many employers offer 6-8 free counselling sessions
Check with HR

Final Thoughts: Just Take the First Step

Booking therapy can feel daunting, but you don't need to get it perfect. You just need to take the first step.

Find one therapist whose profile resonates. Send one email. Have one conversation.

You can always change your mind. You can try someone else. You can pause and come back later.

But if you've been thinking about therapy for a while—if something's been nagging at you that you can't quite shake—take that first step today.

Send the email. Make the call. Book the consultation.

The hardest part is starting. Once you're in the room (virtual or physical) with someone who listens without judgment and helps you make sense of what you're experiencing, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

If you're looking for a therapist in South West London (or online), I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation where we can discuss what you're looking for and whether my approach might be the right fit. I work with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and life transitions using an integrative humanistic approach.

You can reach me at 07887 376 839 or via the contact form on this website. I typically respond within one working day.

How to Book a Therapist in London: Complete Step-by-Step Guide