Following the recent and sudden passing of Dr Stephen Humphries, our psychiatrists are working diligently to transfer patients, which may result in longer processing times than usual. We appreciate your understanding during this exceptional time.
Therapists have a minimum of 5 years experience, are accredited and insured to practice privately.
Therapists have met rigorous selection criteria and are vetted to ensure you receive the best support.
Not satisfied with your first consultation? Try a meeting with another therapist free of charge.
The hand-selected practitioners have trained in the UK’s most respected counselling institutions. They have years of experience in the NHS, private, education, and charitable sectors in and around London. They are registered with one or more of the following:
Call us on 0345 474 1724 (or you can book online) and tell us what you are having difficulty with.
We provide availability with therapists specifically suited to your needs and we book the appointment for you.
Meet the practitioner and begin the road to self-improvement. Have any concerns? Let us know so we can assist.
What is Counselling and Psychotherapy?
The different terms seem confusing, but they all refer to the process of meeting with a trained professional to help you manage personal issues. We will connect you with the right expert who is most suited to help.
In the UK counselling is an umbrella term that covers all talk therapies. It refers to the process of sharing what is troubling you with someone trained to help you understand yourself better, in a safe, supportive environment. The aim is to find more effective and satisfying ways of living your life.
A counsellor is not invested in your choices like a friend but is unbiased. And they don’t offer advice. They have spent years training to be highly expert listeners who know just what questions to ask so that you find your own ways forward.
Anyone who is willing to accept help to look at themselves and their issues honestly and attentively. And who is willing to put in the time and commitment, and recognise that change is not always easy.
You do not have to be in crisis to attend counselling sessions. It can help with any issue and any area of life. From wanting more confidence at work, to dealing with a relationship breakdown or an unresolved childhood issue, counselling can help.
A general counsellor has completed a three or four-year program in counselling theory and skills. They typically conduct short and medium-term work with clients.
A counselling psychologist has similar training to a counsellor or psychotherapist, but additionally will hold a degree in psychology, giving them scientific knowledge of the human mind and behaviour.
All of the counsellors at Harley Therapy™ have a minimum of seven years professional experience. They listen with empathy and openness, and do not force you to take a particular course of action, but help you make positive choices for yourself.
Your first session can involve going over practical things like scheduling and cancellation policies. And your counsellor will ask about what has bought you to try counselling, and about your life history.
Sessions of counselling then become about exploring the problems you are facing. Your counsellor will listen carefully, reflect back what you’ve said, then ask questions that help you clarify your thoughts and feelings and what you want from a situation.
Some therapists (particularly CBT counsellors) might set an agenda for each session and work through practical, skills-based exercises with you. They may also give you homework to do, or things to think about outside of your sessions.
The main forms of counselling we offer include:
And you can choose to try counselling in different formats, such as:
There can be times during your therapy where it is necessary to talk about uncomfortable and painful things. But your therapist is there to support you through the process, and afterwards you might feel like a long-held burden has lifted.
It depends on what issues you are working on. You may be offered counselling as a single session, or as a short-term course of sessions over a period of weeks or months.
Each person has their own unique experience of counselling. And your results will to an extent depend on you, on what you want to achieve from the experience and the commitment you make to the process.
In general, results include, but are not limited to:
The term 'psychotherapy' is used to describe a range of talking therapies. You share what is worrying you, and are listened to in a way that helps you understand yourself and your situation better.
The aim of psychotherapy is to help you deal more effectively with your past and present challenges, and make decisions for your future that enhance your wellbeing. Therapy sessions can be done as an individual, a couple, or as a family or group.
Type of psychotherapy include:
The terms are used interchangeably in the UK. A person with a psychotherapy certification may, for example, call themselves a counsellor. Although it can be said that psychotherapy is the more likely of the two to be long-term and in-depth, the real difference is simply your therapist's chosen training. For more information read our article on psychotherapy vs counselling.
Anyone who wants to understand themselves and their life will take value attending sessions. You do not have to be having a crisis to benefit from psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy is not, however, a quick fix. So to benefit from therapy you must be committed to yourself and the process.
Psychotherapy is useful for any life challenge or issue. This includes relationships, family problems, work issues, addictions, and just feeling overwhelmed with depression or anxiety.
If you are are interested in seeing what psychotherapy treatments have proven effective for certain issues, you can read our information about evidence-based guidelines.
Being able to trust and get along with your therapist is now proven to predict the effectiveness of your therapy. All of the psychotherapists at Harley Therapy™ have a minimum of seven years professional experience compassionately supporting clients. We are committed to creating the highest standard of therapy available.
Sessions are generally held at the same time and place each week and last around 50 minutes. Your psychotherapist will give you their full attention and encourage you to talk about and explore your feelings and thoughts about yourself, your relationships, your past, and what you are presently finding challenging in life.
Your therapist will not judge you or tell you what to do, but will simply work to understand you, and then ask useful questions that help you explore things further.
It's possible your sessions might also include useful techniques such as mindfulness or visualisation, depending on the type of therapy you choose.
Our psychotherapists are hand-selected for their skill, compassion and expertise, and they consistently receive excellent feedback. You can call confidentially today to see how they can help you, or book online now for an assessment.
Monday to Friday 8am-8pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm
Bank Holiday 10am-4pm
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