How Do I Choose a Therapist?

Therapy can help anyone to cope better with life's challenges and hard times. You do not have to reach crisis point before starting therapy, it is best to reach out for support before things get too much.

Harley Therapy Therapists offer sessions from 7am to 10pm online by video and by phone, every day. Same-day appointments are available now.

Adjusting to a recent life event? Struggling to cope with issues like depression and anxiety? Therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space to find the best way forward for you to feel better. You can hear how therapy transformed other's lives here.

Find a therapist today

Finding the best therapist for you doesn't have to be overwhelming. The Harley Therapy platform is the only therapy booking platform that transparently shows user reviews, live therapist availability and enables secure online booking and payment in the UK. We only work with registered and reputable therapists.

Book a therapy session today here

Use our search page to select the main issue you would like help with (leave this blank, if you aren’t sure).

You can sort therapists by location, price, average rating and next available appointment times at the top of the page.

Next, refine your search with filters to answer these questions:

• How will you talk to your therapist? Choose to meet in person, online or over the phone
• Where can you travel to? Enter your address to find the nearest therapist
• When do you want your appointment? Choose the dates you are available or the time of day that suits you best
• What type of therapy would you like? (eg. CBT, Psychodynamic, etc. Leave this blank if you are open to many approaches)
• What gender would you like your therapist to be?
• Who is the session for? Choose therapy for yourself or a couple, child or family therapy expert
• What price range are you willing to pay? Select the price range for you

Here's a common example of the type of filters our users select:

It’s better to try therapy and find you haven’t got the match quite right, then not try at all. And don't forget the Harley Therapy platform guarantee:

If you don't feel satisfied with your first session for any reason, we'll offer you a session with an alternative therapist at our expense. So why not book now?

Let’s look at what you need to think about when it comes to selecting a therapist:

Format of therapy: Your therapy is your experience, so it’s important you are clear on what you want. If you prefer phone or Skype therapy, say so. Also note that many therapists can offer a mixed format on request, for example, some sessions in person, some via Skype.

Your address: If you really want to work with a therapist but don’t live close, or are actually in another country, see if they offer Skype or phone therapy. Research shows that Skype therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy, and for some conditions, it has proven even more effective.

Gender of therapist: Many tend to immediately choose a therapist who shares their gender. But sometimes, if you have issues with the opposite gender, working with a therapist who is that opposite gender can help you work through them. It also gives you a chance to finally form a trusting, reliable relationship with someone of the opposite gender. Something to think about.

Therapist approach: Choose a specific type of therapy approach if you want, or just leave this blank if you'd like to decide on a therapist based on their profile information instead. We suggest you read our article on "The Main Therapeutic Approaches" if you'd like to learn what therapeutic approaches there are and how they differ.

Session fees: Consider the therapist that offers the right approach and experience for your issues, and seems to have a personality you’d click with. Read our article on "The Cost of Therapy" to gain some good ideas on how you can afford your ideal therapist.

Is it terrible to judge based on pictures? It's common. You are likely picking up clues about the therapist's personality from the way they dress, smile, and hold themselves. Therapy is, after all, a relationship, and we tend to work best with people we feel comfortable with. Read the therapist's profile as well, where you will get a sense of his or her experience, their take on working with clients, and what they are passionate about.

What other things do you need to think about? There are other options, such as if you want to do long or short-term therapy, and what sort of relationship you would like to have with your therapist. Read our connected article, “How Do I Know What Type of Therapy I Need?”

Ready to choose your therapist? Click here to see available therapists