Choosing a counsellor should be something you take time and consideration over. Paul Barrett is a counsellor in Little Venice and Chelsea, supporting clients from many walks of life. A successful client-counsellor relationship requires a comfortable and safe environment.

Paul Barrett is an integrative psychotherapist based in Barnes, South West London, Chelsea and Paddington. He is a fully clinical accredited UKCP counsellor and psychotherapist. He is also a member of the BACP, CCPE, EMDR UK and adheres to their codes of conducts and ethical frameworks.

The Importance of the Right Match

The relationship between counsellors and their clients has to be close and a good fit. Your counsellor has to be someone you can be open with and feel comfortable around. Your friends or family may have recommendations, but this does not mean that counsellor would be the perfect fit for your needs.

Many therapists have lots of experience but they may not be the right fit for you. You must find a connection with your therapist to get the most from the experience and benefit from your sessions. You need to be able to connect and talk openly about difficult thoughts and feelings. Here are some valuable tips for finding the right counsellor:

1.      Establish your goals

If you have come to the decision to seek counselling, what are you hoping to achieve? While you can proper look into this once you’ve found the right counsellor, it is useful to have an idea beforehand. What are you hoping to get from counselling sessions?

2.      Look at qualifications and professional memberships

Finding a counsellor via the BACP directory ensures they have a professional accreditation and are a reputable provider of their service. The BACP directory has a useful search engine that can help find suitable therapists in your local area.

3.      Interview your counsellor

The first session with any counsellor is a chance to see if the relationship is a good fit. Take the time to ask questions as well as answer those posed to you. You may be able to find out more about their theoretical base and specialisms and see if these fit with your goals and expectations.

Many counsellors specialise in particular areas or have good experience across a number of areas. This is why it is important to meet face to face and discuss your circumstances, including goals, before making a final decision. Some therapists offer virtual consultations and telephone appointments too which may help in making your final decision.

Appointments with Paul Barrett, Counsellor in Little Venice

Booking an appointment with Paul is straightforward via our contact page. You can book in via his PA and discuss your hopes for your counselling sessions.

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