Search site...
Book a Low-Cost Therapy Assessment
Book a Reduced-Rate Therapy Assessment
Book a Qualified Therapy Assessment
Therapy Rooms Available to Hire
Trainee Therapist Placement
The 3 Main Therapy and Counselling Approaches Header

Therapy & Counselling Approaches For Beginners

What Are The Main Therapy And Counselling Approaches?: If you are new to the world of therapy and counselling, the abundance of counselling approaches (sometimes called modalities) and the language used to describe them can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to figure out where to start. Although it is, in fact, just as complicated as it appears, this page should give you a few hints, describing some key terms and pointing you in the right direction.

Although ‘counselling’ can be used to describe any form of therapeutic intervention, it usually refers specifically to a short-term, goal-oriented therapy modality that focuses on one specific issue or area of your life. You might approach a counsellor to help you deal with grief and bereavement over the death of a loved one, or help you navigate a difficult life-transition period in your domestic or professional life.

A counsellor will listen without judgement and will use different counselling approaches to help you to find solutions without telling you what to do. Counselling is usually offered for a fixed number of sessions.

Psychotherapy is usually a less-structured, more open-ended process that might continue for many years and usually deals with physical and emotional problems, behavioural disorders and human sexuality issues. A psychotherapist might also help you deal with a specific issue, but they are more likely to help you identify and address deep-seated psychological issues, reflect on the role your past might play in living your current life, and consider your subconscious.

Psychotherapy is a talking therapy process and forms the basis of many therapeutic approaches (modalities) most of which you can find at HQ Therapy.

Clinical Psychology, on the other hand, is a scientific, medical and theoretical approach that is used to diagnose, treat and prevent psychological issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse and addiction issues, learning disabilities, family and work conflict and relationship issues.

Clinical psychologists are able to officially diagnose mental health conditions and will treat them using psychological techniques rather than by prescribing medications.

The process is more structured than psychotherapy or counselling approaches: you will be formally assessed before your clinician begins working with you to help you find practical solutions to the issues you are facing.

Counselling & Therapy Approaches Offered At HQ Therapy Rooms

Within the umbrella terms described above, there are dozens of different therapeutic approaches available. You’ve probably heard many of the acronyms, from the widely available CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to lesser-known approaches such as NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprogramming).

Figuring out which counselling approach is best for you can seem like an overwhelming task. The modality pages on this website give you a place to start, and when you’ve got a sense of the options available, you can either contact a therapist directly or ask us for help.

HQ Therapy has therapists and counsellors who are fully trained to work with clients experiencing emotional, psychological and physical issues. Below are the three main therapy and counselling approaches that are an umbrella for a range of different types of therapy modalities, each of which is tailored to deal with specific client issues, using a wide range of techniques.

***If you feel you need some help with getting therapy contact us using the form at the bottom of this page and someone will guide you through the process.***

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Seek Therapy & Counselling?

Many people, new to this type of help, believe that they need to be suffering from “mental illness” or serious “psychological problems”, or be in crisis in order for therapy and counselling to be appropriate for them. This is a common misconception; anyone can benefit from therapy when it comes to helping you deal with your personal feelings and problems, make positive changes in your life, and understand yourself better.

So what is therapy and counselling? If you’re new to this world then the first steps can sometimes be the most difficult. Therapy can be a very effective treatment for a whole range of personal problems covering areas from physical and emotional problems, different types of behavioural disorders, through to human sexuality issues and a host of wellbeing and complementary therapy techniques.

Any problem you have that is causing you concern, anxiety or distress is a valid and appropriate reason to reach out and find a therapist and talk to them about it. Far from something to be ashamed of, acknowledging your vulnerability and asking for help is a sign of maturity and strength.

If you feel that you have a desire and are committed to making changes in your life in order to overcome your current problems and achieve more long-term satisfaction, psychological wellbeing and personal fulfilment, then you are ready to seek therapy. We are here to help you work through a wide range of therapy issues that might be troubling you.

Will Information About Me Be Safe & Secure?

It is quite normal to be hesitant when it comes to sharing private and intimate information about yourself with a stranger. You may fear that you will receive judgment from your therapist, or that your therapist will share your details with others.

HQ Therapy Rooms takes your privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Our therapists are required to keep everything said in therapy sessions between you, just like your doctor is required to keep your records private.

For therapy to be effective, there must be unconditional trust built between you and your therapist, and this relies on a shared understanding of confidentiality. It applies to the outside world as well: it is standard practice for therapists not to acknowledge their clients if they run into them outside of the therapy rooms in order to help protect their client’s confidentiality. Read our full privacy policy for more information.

Can I Contact You For Advice About Getting Therapy?

Talking about your thoughts and feelings with a supportive therapist can often make you feel better and help you face your problems. It feels good to be listened to and to know that someone cares about you and wants to help. It is important that you find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable and can build a trusting relationship to help you make positive changes in your life.

But how do you know what type of therapy is right for you? Taking the first steps in finding the right therapist can be the biggest hurdle for newcomers, so we have made it easy. Simply get in touch with us using the form below or give us a call at 0203 997 9229 and one of our fully qualified referral therapists can work with you to make sure you connect with the right practitioner and receive the correct therapy and counselling services you require.

However, if you feel you are ready to start therapy straight away then click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with a fully qualified therapist, or if you are struggling financially click HERE to book an initial therapy assessment with one of our Low-Cost therapists.

Our practitioners deal with a wide range of therapy issues using different types of therapy modalities tailored to the types of clients we work with. We also cater for people who are beset with financial difficulties, offering them services ranging from low-cost therapy and reduced-rate therapy to working with seasoned, qualified and accredited talking therapists.