What are the benefits of therapy?

Therapy offers a range of well-established benefits, supported by a strong base of psychological research and clinical evidence. It can help you to better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, while developing healthier ways of coping with stress, anxiety, or emotional difficulty. Over time, therapy can lead to improved mental health, greater emotional resilience, and more balanced relationships.

Evidence shows that talking therapies can be highly effective in supporting individuals with concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and low self-esteem. It can also provide space for personal growth, reflection, and life direction, even in the absence of a specific crisis.

But therapy is not a quick fix. It is a process of gradual, meaningful change. It creates an opportunity to explore yourself more deeply, guided by a trained professional using approaches grounded in research and best practice. The benefits often extend beyond immediate concerns, helping you navigate the wider phases of your life with greater clarity and confidence.

What are the benefits of therapy?

Therapy offers a range of well-established benefits, supported by a strong base of psychological research and clinical evidence. It can help you to better understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, while developing healthier ways of coping with stress, anxiety, or emotional difficulty. Over time, therapy can lead to improved mental health, greater emotional resilience, and more balanced relationships.

Evidence shows that talking therapies can be highly effective in supporting individuals with concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and low self-esteem. It can also provide space for personal growth, reflection, and life direction, even in the absence of a specific crisis.

But therapy is not a quick fix. It is a process of gradual, meaningful change. It creates an opportunity to explore yourself more deeply, guided by a trained professional using approaches grounded in research and best practice. The benefits often extend beyond immediate concerns, helping you navigate the wider phases of your life with greater clarity and confidence.

Who is therapy for?

Therapy is for everyone! Many people seek counselling because they are experiencing difficulties or they want to understand themselves more fully. You do not need to be in crisis or at breaking point to benefit from counselling.

Many people seek therapy during times of transition, such as relationship changes, loss, stress, or personal uncertainty. Others come with longer-standing issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or trauma. Whatever your reasons, therapy can offer support and reflection through the different phases of life.

What happens in a therapy session?

Each therapy session typically lasts around 50 minutes and takes place in a calm, confidential environment. During this time, you are encouraged to speak openly about whatever is on your mind. You might talk about current challenges, past experiences, thoughts or emotions that are difficult to understand, or patterns you have noticed in your relationships or behaviour.

Your therapist is there to listen attentively and without judgement. They may ask thoughtful questions, offer reflections, or help you make connections between different aspects of your experience. The process is collaborative. It is not about being told what to do, but rather about exploring together what might be helpful and meaningful for you.

In some forms of therapy, your therapist may suggest things for you to reflect on between sessions. This is sometimes called “homework,” though it is not about pressure or performance. It might include writing down thoughts, practising a technique, noticing patterns in daily life, or reflecting on a theme discussed in your session. These gentle tasks are designed to support your progress and help you deepen your understanding of yourself.

You are always encouraged to move at a pace that feels right for you. There is no set number of sessions. Some people benefit from short-term therapy focused on a particular issue, while others choose longer-term work that allows for deeper exploration. There are also different therapeutic approaches and some might meet your needs more than others. For example, Phase Counselling offer a range of therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), and Person-Centred Therapy, and you will be assessed at the start of the process so that we can provide you with the most appropriate service. Your needs and preferences will guide the entire process.

Above all, therapy is a space that belongs to you. It is an opportunity to be heard, to be supported, and to engage with the unfolding phases of your life in a way that feels respectful, considered, and empowering.

What should I expect from my therapist?

You can expect your therapist to be professional, respectful, and appropriately qualified to support your therapeutic journey. They will provide a safe, confidential space where your experiences are treated with care, compassion, and without judgement.

It is important to work with a therapist who has undergone rigorous training and who is committed to high standards of ethical and clinical practice. Many well-qualified therapists will hold Masters degrees in counselling, with some completing further research at doctoral level or contributing to the field through teaching counselling trainees, writing books, or being a supervisor for other counsellors. These qualifications and experiences reflect a depth of knowledge and dedication to the profession.

All our therapists are members of recognised professional bodies, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). These organisations require practitioners to uphold a strict code of ethics, engage in continuous professional development, and receive regular clinical supervision to ensure safe, reflective, and effective practice.

At the beginning of your work together, your therapist will agree a contract with you. This outlines the practical and ethical framework of your sessions, including confidentiality, session frequency, fees, cancellation policies, and the boundaries of the therapeutic relationship. Contracting helps create a clear and respectful foundation for the work you will do together.

Your therapist will collaborate with you throughout the process, taking time to understand your needs and therapeutic goals, and working at a pace that feels manageable. You are encouraged to ask questions, offer feedback, and play an active role in shaping your therapy. At every stage, your autonomy, dignity, and emotional safety will be prioritised.

What’s the difference between Counselling and Psychotherapy?

Although the terms counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences in focus and depth that may help you decide which is most appropriate for your needs.

Counselling typically offers short- to medium-term support and tends to focus on specific issues or current life challenges. It often helps individuals explore their thoughts and feelings in response to life events such as stress, grief, low mood, or relationship concerns. Counselling can be a powerful resource for building coping strategies, improving emotional resilience, and gaining insight into present difficulties.

Psychotherapy, on the other hand, tends to be longer-term and often involves a deeper exploration of the self. It may involve looking at past experiences, unconscious patterns, or long-standing relational dynamics that influence how you think, feel, and behave in the present. Psychotherapy is well suited to those seeking more comprehensive personal growth, those facing complex or enduring emotional challenges, or those who wish to make sense of repeated life patterns or unresolved experiences.

In both counselling and psychotherapy, the relationship with your therapist is central. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you, offering a supportive, confidential space in which to reflect, process, and grow.

How do I know if therapy is right for me?

It is completely natural to feel uncertain about starting therapy. You may wonder whether your concerns are ‘serious enough’, feel hesitant about sharing personal thoughts with someone new, or be unsure what to expect from the process. These are common feelings, and you are not alone in experiencing them.

Therapy is not about having the ‘right’ kind of issue. It is about offering yourself time, space, and support to reflect, grow, and navigate the challenges or questions that matter to you. People seek therapy for many reasons: managing anxiety or low mood, improving relationships, coping with life transitions, or exploring identity and personal direction.

If you are thinking about therapy, you might find it helpful to ask yourself:

• Am I feeling overloaded, stressed, stuck, or emotionally exhausted?
• Do I keep repeating patterns that I do not fully understand?
• Is something from my past affecting how I feel or behave now?
• Am I finding it difficult to maintain healthy relationships?
• Am I feeling unfulfilled or overwhelmed in my work or daily responsibilities?
• Am I experiencing a lack of confidence, self-worth, or difficulty accepting myself?
• Am I curious about understanding myself more deeply?
• Do I want a space where I can speak openly and be truly heard?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then therapy may offer a valuable opportunity to explore your inner world and move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Whatever phase you are in, taking the first step towards support is a courageous and valuable act.