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NHS Choices - Counselling information

Counselling is a type of talking therapy or psychological therapy. It involves talking to a counsellor about your problems. Counsellors are trained to listen sympathetically and can help you deal with any negative thoughts and feelings.

People sometimes use the word counselling to refer to talking therapies in general, but counselling is also a specific type of therapy.

Talking therapies

There are several types of talking therapies, including:

  • counselling
  • cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
  • psychotherapy

See Counselling - talking therapies for more information about the different therapies available

Talking therapies can be used to treat numerous health conditions, including:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  • obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • long-term illnesses
  • eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia
  • drug misuse 

... see webpage for links to these topics.

 
Sector:
Voluntary

Related Information

Subject Definitions

This is an approach to treatment that involves working with people to help them change their emotions, thoughts and behaviour. A person's personal beliefs are addressed in order to understand and change behaviour.

The service listing below gives talking therapy services provided by the NHS, charitable organisations or private practitioners. 
To make an appointment: Your GP can refer you for NHS services and you can contact charity sector services direct.  Read our factsheet ‘Finding a Therapist or Counsellor’ for info on private practitioners. Some services specialise by offering counselling, for example, to Asian women or couples. 
Charges: NHS services are free, some charities ask for a donation or have a sliding scale of fees and private counselling/therapy typically costs between £25-50.
Waiting times for talking therapies vary from a week for some private services to a number of months for some NHS services. 
Click on the Counselling Search (on left) for a full listing of Harrow counselling service waiting times.