Therapy Colouring Book

Help yourself to a colouring book or a leaflet ...

Go

Welcome, take a seat.

Trying therapy

I need help now

Becoming a therapist

Choose an option

Trying therapy

I need help now

Choose an option

Becoming a therapist

Find a course

Share this

Next

Play the video to hear more about Doctor Fatoumata Jatta and her journey into becoming a therapist, then hit 'next' to explore the first steps.

Industry Challenges

Choices as a Therapist

Exploring Further

Personal Qualities & Skills

Costs of Training

Thinking of Becoming a Therapist?

Exploring further

Types of Therapists

Choices as therapist

Motivations & Reasons

Find a course

Share this

Back

Industry Challenges

Choices as a Therapist

Exploring Further

Personal Qualities & Skills

Costs of Training

Thinking of Becoming a Therapist?

Click on the topics in this leaflet to find out what you need to think about if you’re considering becoming a therapist.

Exploring further

Types of Therapists

Choices as therapist

Motivations & Reasons

Next

Click on the play icons to hear from from Matt and Emma about starting their journey into therapy, then tap 'next' to learn more.

Back

Filling in the Picture

❤️ Supporting a loved one to start therapy

📲 Other ways to help yourself

🫱🏽‍🫲🏿 Who is the right therapist?

💷 Choice vs. cost

📚 What is the right therapy?

👍🏾 Would I benefit?

❓ What do I want to change?

Click on the elements of therapy below and find out how to get the right therapy for you.

If you’re feeling unsafe, overwhelmed, or in crisis, you don’t have to face it alone - support is available right now. Remember, your GP or the NHS 111 service (in England, Wales and Scotland) are available if you feel you need help. In addition, on the right are a few phone numbers and links to emergency helplines and other services that you can contact anytime for immediate, confidential help. Your safety and wellbeing matter, and there are people ready to listen and support you.

If you need help now...

🔗 Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58

🔗 National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK 0800 689 5652

🔗 SANEline 0300 304 700

🔗 Samaritans 116 123

🔗 Mind support line 0300 102 1234

Helpful numbers

Back

• Gaining relevant experience – e.g. in a voluntary ‘helping role’ or in relevant paid roles such as social worker, nursing or care assistant

• Taking an introductory counselling course to learn more about the field.

• Having your own personal therapy – to explore your motivations for training and your resilience for the work. It is also helpful to experience what it is like to be a therapy client.
• Exploring therapy training – This link provides information about the Open University Counselling qualification as well as sections on:
• Is counselling the right career choice for you personally?
• Which counselling and psychotherapy career pathway to choose?
• Introductory counselling skills and theory training

Therapy training is highly competitive so to give yourself the best chance, consider:

Exploring Further

Do you have the skills of an effective therapist?

• Empathic, warm and non-judgemental
• Respectful, positive and optimistic
• Humble and self-questioning rather than overconfident or arrogant
• Curious about yourself as well as others
• Self-aware and emotionally grounded

• Able to really listen to others
• Can connect with lots of different types of people
• Non-defensive when criticised
• Able to stay present and thoughtful when difficult emotions come up (in yourself or others)
• Willingness to look at yourself – including at the difficult parts!

What type of people make the best therapists? Do you have the personal qualities of an effective therapist?

Personal Qualities and Skills

💡TIP: Don’t worry if your first choice isn’t perfect and make changes as you learn what works for you.

Your therapy goals also matter—short-term therapy may help with specific issues, while longer-term therapy supports deeper change. To help you choose, you can explore different types of therapy (e.g. 🔗BACP offers an A-Z of therapeutic approaches) and try out a 🔗therapy preferences questionnaire which can help clarifying your needs.

Choosing therapy depends on your needs and preferences. Do you want a structured approach with clear techniques, or a more open-ended space to explore? Some therapies, like CBT, are goal-focused and time-limited, while others, like psychodynamic therapy, may be longer and explore long-standing patterns. Think about whether you prefer a directive therapist who offers guidance or a non-directive one who helps you find your own answers.

What is the right therapy for me?

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Ways of Understanding

🔗Counselling training

Minimum 2 years.

Undergraduate or sub-undergraduate training

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy + others

Counsellors

🔗 Psychotherapy training

Minimum 4-years + undergraduate degree (3 years)

Masters-level postgraduate training (requires undergraduate degree in relevant subject or relevant professional qualification).

United Kingdom College of Psychotherapy + others

Psychotherapists

🔗Counselling Psychology training

🔗Clinical Psychology training

Minimum 3-years + undergraduate degree (3 years)

Doctoral postgraduate training (requires undergraduate Psychology degree)

British Psychological Society

Clinical and Counselling Psychologists

Links

Length of training

Academic level of training

Professional Bodies

Type

The table below provides information on the three main types of therapist in the UK. Note, training often takes longer than the minimums listed.

Types of Therapists

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Trauma Awareness

🔗 Explore The Open University's new Counselling Qualification 🔗 Degree Overview: BSc (Honours) Counselling

• Gaining relevant experience – e.g. in a voluntary ‘helping role’ or in relevant paid roles such as social worker, nursing or care assistant.

• Taking an introductory counselling course to learn more about the field.
• Having your own personal therapy – to explore your motivations for training and your resilience for the work. It is also helpful to experience what it is like to be a therapy client.
• Exploring therapy training: the links below provide information about the Open University Counselling qualification as well as sections on:
• Is counselling the right career choice for you personally?
• Which counselling and psychotherapy career pathway to choose?
• Introductory counselling skills and theory training

Therapy training is highly competitive so to give yourself the best chance, consider:

Exploring Further

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• Etiam at congue felis. Phasellus ipsum elit, dictum vitae tincidunt eget, consequat
• interdum dolor. Integer non placerat enim.
• Integer non placerat enim.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam at congue felis. Phasellus ipsum elit, dictum vitae tincidunt eget, consequat interdum dolor. Integer non placerat enim. Vivamus pellentesque eros finibus imperdiet. Suspendisse nec ante. Sed tincidunt ex vitae dui sollicitudin iaculis. Donec et dui viverra erat dictum finibus et dui viverra erat dictum.

Cost and Payment

🔗Counselling Short Courses at The Open University

Beyond ‘type’ of therapist you need to decide on:

• Client group: The commonest therapy training qualifies you to work with individual adults. You need specialist training to work with couples, families, groups, or children.
• Specialisms: To work with specific groups (e.g. adults with neurodiversity) or types of difficulty (e.g. people experiencing eating disorders) you likely need specialist training – possibly after your first therapy training.
• Continuing Professional Development: Therapists must keep learning to keep current and provide the best possible support to clients.

• Therapy approach: In the UK the main broad approaches are Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic and Humanistic. But there are literally hundreds of types of therapy you could train in.

Training Choices

Time – Training takes years – psychotherapists often spend six years training (not including an undergraduate degree). Emotion - Training is emotionally demanding and sometimes stressful. It asks you to look deeply at yourself and when you change as a result, that can be hard on your relationships. Learning how to work effectively with people who are struggling is also demanding.

Counselling training requires a serious commitment: Money: You will probably have to pay course fees (or take a student loan). Only clinical psychology training is typically funded but it is very competitive. Training is expensive and you may have other training costs – your own therapy or travel to placements. And usually, you won’t be paid for seeing clients while training.

Costs of Training

🧠 REMEMBER: Therapy can’t change the past or other people - it helps you understand and work with your own thoughts, feelings, and choices.

Start by considering whether you have the mental and emotional space for change because therapy will be more useful for you are if actively involved in making it work. This involves giving your counsellor feedback about what you are finding helpful and what you are not. 🔗 What therapy can help with | bacp.co.uk

Change can be difficult, especially when dealing with painful experiences. The right time for therapy depends on your situation. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in crisis, like during a relationship breakdown, counselling may focus more on helping you cope rather than immediate change, and that’s okay. If you’re in a more stable place, therapy can support deeper reflection and lasting shifts.

Would I Benefit From Counselling?

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• Etiam at congue felis. Phasellus ipsum elit, dictum vitae tincidunt eget, consequat
• interdum dolor. Integer non placerat enim.
• Integer non placerat enim.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam at congue felis. Phasellus ipsum elit, dictum vitae tincidunt eget, consequat interdum dolor. Integer non placerat enim. Vivamus pellentesque eros finibus imperdiet. Suspendisse nec ante. Sed tincidunt ex vitae dui sollicitudin iaculis. Donec et dui viverra erat dictum finibus et dui viverra erat dictum.

Romantic Relationships

• Time – Training takes years – psychotherapists often spend six years training (not including an undergraduate degree).
• Emotion - Training is emotionally demanding and sometimes stressful. It asks you to look deeply at yourself and when you change as a result, that can be hard on your relationships. Learning how to work effectively with people who are struggling is also demanding.

Counselling training requires a serious commitment: Money: You will probably have to pay course fees (or take a student loan). Only clinical psychology training is typically funded but it is very competitive. Training is expensive and you may have other training costs – your own therapy or travel to placements. And usually, you won’t be paid for seeing clients while training.

Costs of Training

🧠 REMEMBER: Offering practical help, like finding therapists or booking an appointment, can make getting started less overwhelming.

You can also help by researching therapists, offering to go with them to an initial session, or simply being patient. Ultimately, the decision is theirs, but your support can make it easier for them to take that first step.

Watching someone you care about struggle can be difficult, and you may wonder how to encourage them to seek help. Start by listening without judgment - sometimes, feeling heard is the first step toward change. Gently express your concern and highlight specific ways their struggles seem to be affecting their well-being. Rather than pushing therapy, offer it as an option: “Have you thought about talking to someone who could help?” Let them know seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Supporting a loved one to consider therapy

It is crucial to think carefully about why you want to be therapist. Commonly - and understandably – personal experiences of difficulties/distress drive the desire to help others. However, if this is a motivation, it is key to be aware of it. Acknowledge and work through your own distress rather than avoiding it by focusing on and helping others. Ask yourself: do I fully understand my motives to be a therapist? Could I support others in another role, such as a nurse, social worker or a teacher? Explore further whether therapy training is right for you by learning about the realities of training and working as a therapist.

Motivations and Reasons

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• Integer non placerat enim.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Etiam at congue felis. Phasellus ipsum elit, dictum vitae tincidunt eget, consequat interdum dolor. Integer non placerat enim. Vivamus pellentesque eros finibus imperdiet. Suspendisse nec ante. Sed tincidunt ex vitae dui sollicitudin iaculis. Donec et dui viverra erat dictum finibus et dui viverra erat dictum.

Different Theories

💡Ask yourself: Do I often think, “I don’t want to feel like this anymore”? If the answer is yes, it might be time to seek support.

You can further explore whether therapy is right for you by learning about different therapy approaches, talking to a trusted person, or even having an initial consultation with a therapist.

Stress, pain and grief are all part of being human, and feeling distress when bad things happen is normal. But if you experience persistent problems with low mood or anxiety, that are making it hard to live the way you want, therapy may help. If your usual ways of coping aren’t helping and you feel stuck, therapy can provide new tools and perspectives.

What Do I Want to Change?

Risk of burnout: The work can take a personal toll and there is a known risk of burnout (mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress). A big factor in burnout is organizational factors like high caseloads and lack of support/training. Lack of funding: Mental health services are chronically underfunded. To manage long waiting lists, services do things like offer fewer therapy sessions. This can leave therapists feeling frustrated because they can’t help like they want to.

Low employment/income for some: Just 37% of counsellors in private practice said they could earn a living from their counselling; over one third said they earn £12,500 or less per year; over 50% reported wanting more work (BACP, 2024).

Industry Challenges

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Consider whether factors like cultural background or identity are important to you. Therapy isn’t always smooth, and misunderstandings can happen, but raising concerns and resolving the issues together with you therapist can strengthen the process. If therapy doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up or change therapists.

Finding the right therapist is key to effective therapy. Since anyone can call themselves a therapist, it’s important to ensure yours is fully qualified and follows professional standards set by bodies like the 🔗BACP, 🔗UKCP or 🔗HCPC - they have registers to check accreditation and directories to help you find qualified therapists in your area. A strong therapeutic relationship is essential - feeling safe, understood, and respected by your therapist matters.

Who is the right therapist for me?

🔗Counselling Short Courses at The Open University

Beyond ‘type’ of therapist you need to decide on:

• Client group: The commonest therapy training qualifies you to work with individual adults. You need specialist training to work with couples, families, groups, or children.
• Specialisms: To work with specific groups (e.g. adults with neurodiversity) or types of difficulty (e.g. people experiencing eating disorders) you likely need specialist training – possibly after your first therapy training.
• Continuing Professional Development: Therapists must keep learning to keep current and provide the best possible support to clients.

• Therapy approach: In the UK the main broad approaches are Cognitive Behavioural, Psychodynamic and Humanistic. But there are literally hundreds of types of therapy you could train in.

Training Choices

💡TIP: If the waiting list for therapy is long, try engaging in these self-help strategies in the meantime to support your mental well-being.

Pets can offer comfort and companionship, while creative activities or mindfulness practices can help manage stress. Finding what works for you takes time, but small changes can have a big impact. Remember counselling is only one pathway to feeling better about yourself and your life.

Whether alongside therapy or as an alternative, there are many ways to support your well-being. Self-help books, apps, and community groups can provide guidance and connection. Talking to trusted friends or family about how you’re feeling can also make a big difference. Prioritising self-care is essential - regular exercise, good sleep, balanced nutrition, and time in nature can all boost mental health.

Other ways to help yourself

🧠 REMEMBER: Trust your gut feeling - if it doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up or switch therapists.

Consider whether factors like cultural background or identity are important to you. Therapy isn’t always smooth, and misunderstandings can happen, but raising concerns and resolving the issues together with you therapist can strengthen the process. If therapy doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to speak up or change therapists.

Finding the right therapist is key to effective therapy. Since anyone can call themselves a therapist, it’s important to ensure yours is fully qualified and follows professional standards set by bodies like the 🔗BACP, 🔗UKCP or 🔗HCPC - they have registers to check accreditation and directories to help you find qualified therapists in your area. A strong therapeutic relationship is essential - feeling safe, understood, and respected by your therapist matters.

Who is the right therapist for me?

Risk of burnout: The work can take a personal toll and there is a known risk of burnout (mental, physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress). A big factor in burnout is organizational factors like high caseloads and lack of support/training. Lack of funding: Mental health services are chronically underfunded. To manage long waiting lists, services do things like offer fewer therapy sessions. This can leave therapists feeling frustrated because they can’t help like they want to.

Low employment/income for some: Just 37% of counsellors in private practice said they could earn a living from their counselling; over one third said they earn £12,500 or less per year; over 50% reported wanting more work (BACP, 2024).

Industry Challenges

💡TIP: Consider what matters most to you - affordability, therapist choice, or therapy length - when deciding the best option for your situation.

The voluntary sector provides low-cost or donation-based therapy, sometimes with more flexibility in approach. Private therapy offers the most choice - you can select a therapist who suits your needs and continue for as long as necessary, but costs vary, typically starting at £40–£100 per session.

Access to therapy depends on your preferences, budget and local availability. NHS therapy, available through your GP, is free but usually time-limited, with some choice of approach (see here for types of NHS talking therapy). Many workplaces offer free, short-term counselling through Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs).

Cost vs. Choice

It is crucial to think carefully about why you want to be therapist. Commonly - and understandably – personal experiences of difficulties/distress drive the desire to help others. However, if this is a motivation, it is key to be aware of it. Acknowledge and work through your own distress rather than avoiding it by focusing on and helping others. Ask yourself: do I fully understand my motives to be a therapist? Could I support others in another role, such as a nurse, social worker or a teacher? Explore further whether therapy training is right for you by learning about the realities of training and working as a therapist.

Motivations and Reasons

Do you have the skills of an effective therapist?

• Able to really listen to others
• Can connect with lots of different types of people
• Non-defensive when criticised
• Able to stay present and thoughtful when difficult emotions come up (in yourself or others)
• Willingness to look at yourself – including at the difficult parts!

What type of people make the best therapists? Do you have the personal qualities of an effective therapist?

• Empathic, warm and non-judgemental
• Respectful, positive and optimistic towards others
• Humble and self-questioning rather than arrogant or overconfident
• Curious about yourself as well as others
• Self-aware and emotionally grounded

Personal Qualities and Skills

🔗Counselling training

Minimum 2 years.

Undergraduate or sub-undergraduate training

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy + others

Counsellors

🔗Psychotherapist training

Minimum 4-years + undergraduate degree (3 years)

Masters-level postgraduate training (requires undergraduate degree in relevant subject or relevant professional qualification).

United Kingdom College of Psychotherapy + others

Psychotherapists

🔗Counselling Psychology training

🔗Clinical Psychology training

Minimum 3-years + undergraduate degree (3 years)

Doctoral postgraduate training (requires undergraduate Psychology degree)

British Psychological Society

Clinical and Counselling Psychologists

Links

Length of training

Academic level of training

Professional Bodies

Type

The table below provides information on the three main types of therapist in the UK. Note, training often takes longer than the minimums listed.

Types of Therapists