We Brits grow up with only the simplest map of our health system: you see the GP when it isn’t too bad, A&E when it’s very bad, and 111 when you’re not sure if you need an ambulance or just an early night. That map doesn’t extend to mental health care, where the NHS operates alongside a private sector that’s quicker but more expensive.

So, when you’re feeling low, do you go public or private? Counsellor, psychotherapist, or psychologist?

This workbook is a practical “how-to” for navigating therapy in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides comprehensive support, describing what sessions look like across our sectors, how counselling and psychotherapy are regulated, and what these titles actually mean. You’ll find answers to the “how to” and the “what to expect,” along with reflection questions to help you prepare for the practical steps of starting therapy.