How using the NCS Counselling Directory can help you

It’s probable that every one of us could benefit from one to one counselling sessions at some point in our lives. The pressures of day to day life, or the stress of a significant life event can affect us in many different ways. By using the National Counselling Society (NCS) Counselling Directory, you’ll find the right counsellor to help you through challenging times.

Whatever your personal situation and whatever issues you’re dealing with, talking with a qualified counsellor can give you much needed comfort and support when you’re going through stressful situations. But how do you choose a counsellor that will be a good—and the right—fit for you?

Talk-based therapy

Any personally challenging time in your life can be made easier by simply talking. But you may find sharing your innermost feelings with family and friends difficult for fear of embarrassment or burdening them with your problems. But talk-based therapy with a qualified professional can be a healthy way to work through both your positive and negative issues.

Professional counsellors are trained, not just to listen to your problems, but to help you work through many different issues in a series of confidential sessions. With guidance and an unbiased, neutral point of view, your counsellor will work with you to resolve your problems, or suggest coping strategies to help you going forward.

However, with the likelihood of there being many counsellors in your local area, finding one that can help you with your own specific needs can be a challenge in itself. But there is a national Counselling Directory where you can find a fully accredited counsellor near you, who will be qualified and trained in the right therapeutic area to help you.

Searching the Counselling Directory

Using the NCS Counselling Directory, also known as the Accredited Register, means that each and every counsellor is professionally qualified and trained in one or more specialist areas. It’s also accredited by the Professional Standards Authority which means each counsellor has been screened and approved to be included.

Being included on the register means counsellors are subject to a code of ethics as well as a complaints procedure, therefore ensuring your health, safety and privacy are guaranteed at all times. So by only choosing an accredited registrant from the NCS Counselling Directory, you know you’re in safe hands right from the start.

If you’re actively seeking out a private counsellor, by using the NCS Counselling Directory, you’ll be able to search for registrants nearby by location or postcode. If someone has recommended a specific counsellor to you, by entering their name (or even just their first name or surname) you’ll be able to find them directly.

If you’ve searched for counsellors by location, you can also then refine those search results. So if you require a counsellor with a specific specialism such as bereavement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or anger management, by choosing from the drop down menu, your results will be filtered accordingly.

There are also filters to include the type of sessions you require, such as face to face or telephone, who the therapy is for, including adults, children or young people, and whether or not you require sign language assistance.

Choosing the right Counsellor

Choosing the right counsellor to help you through the problems or challenges you’re facing can be a difficult or unsettling proposition.

Private counselling is more than just a service. It’s a personal experience and when a counsellor is new to you, opening up can be difficult. So when you’re thinking of looking for a counsellor to help you with whatever problems of challenges you’re currently facing, your choice should only come from the National Counselling Society (NCS) Counselling Directory.

If the type of therapy session you prefer is important to you, you can choose from face to face, online, or telephone sessions, and whether you opt for long term or short term treatment. As you refine your results, you’ll see the counsellors best suited to help you. And by viewing a counsellor’s profile, you’ll see their qualifications, experience and specialist treatment areas all listed.

Once you’ve found a suitable counsellor and the time is right to contact them, make sure you’re comfortable with them at your first session. If you like their manner, you trust them, feel safe, and they’re confident of being able to help you, then that’s a great start.

But you should never stay with any counsellor that you’re not comfortable with, or one whom you don’t trust for any reason. Talking about whatever makes you feel uncomfortable with them can help straighten things out, but remember, if it doesn’t feel quite right, you don’t have to continue your sessions with them.

Your health, safety and wellbeing are the most important things. By only choosing a therapist from the NCS Counselling Directory, you stand to receive treatment from fully trained and qualified practitioners who are genuinely able to help you.

For more information, please contact the NCS directly on 01903 200666or visit the Find a Counsellor page to start your search.