Who does what: the professions on Therapist Circle

Arts therapists

Art therapists (also called art psychotherapists), dramatherapists and music therapists

Arts therapists are psychological therapists who use art-making, drama or live music as the main way of communicating, alongside talking. You do not need any skill in art, drama or music — the point is expression and relationship, not a finished product. Art therapy can help when experiences are hard to put into words. Dramatherapy draws on the healing parts of drama and theatre — play, role and story — to build creativity, insight and growth. Music therapy uses live, often improvised, music-making between you and the therapist, which can help when speaking is difficult because of illness, injury or disability. They work with people of all ages, individually or in groups, in the NHS, schools, community services and independent practice.

Protected titles: art therapist, art psychotherapist, dramatherapist, music therapist — all must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. Informed by: British Association of Art Therapists · British Association of Dramatherapists · British Association for Music Therapy.

Child and adolescent psychotherapists

Child and adolescent psychotherapists are mental health specialists who work psychoanalytically with infants, children and young people (from birth to around 25) and with their parents, carers and families. They help young people make sense of feelings and experiences that may show up in behaviour, play, drawing or relationships rather than in words alone — including worry, anger, sadness or confusion that is hard to say out loud. Sessions are tailored to the child’s age and may combine talking, play and careful observation; concurrent work with parents or carers is a usual part of the approach. They often work as part of a wider team in the NHS and other public services, and can support relationships at home and at school as well as the young person’s own emotional wellbeing, concentration and ability to manage everyday life.

Members of the Association of Child Psychotherapists are on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. This is the specialist psychoanalytic training that focuses exclusively on children, young people and their families. Informed by: Association of Child Psychotherapists.

Counsellors

Counselling offers a safe, confidential space to talk with a trained professional about what is troubling you. A counsellor listens without judgement and helps you explore your thoughts, feelings and patterns — they will not usually give advice or tell you what to do, but help you find your own way forward or ways of coping. People come for many reasons: anxiety, low mood, loss, relationship difficulties, stress at work, or a sense that something does not feel right. You might meet on your own, as a couple or family, or in a group; in person, online or by phone. Sessions are often weekly and around fifty minutes. Different counsellors draw on different approaches — for example person-centred, psychodynamic or integrative — so it is worth asking how they work.

“Counsellor” is not a protected title in the UK, so look for membership of an accredited register, such as those of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society or the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Informed by: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy · National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society · UK Council for Psychotherapy.

Dance movement psychotherapists

Dance movement psychotherapy is a relational form of psychotherapy in which you and the therapist engage creatively through body movement and dance, alongside talking and quiet reflection. It offers a way to express and communicate when words are hard to find, and it takes the whole person into account — how you live in your body, your feelings, thoughts, relationships and the social world around you. No dance experience is needed; it is not a dance class, and the focus is on finding movement that feels right for you rather than learning steps. Sessions may be individual or in groups, and take place in clinical, community, educational and independent settings. Practitioners work with people across the lifespan facing neurological, psychological, relational or social difficulties, and with those who simply want to develop creative self-understanding.

Practitioners train to master’s level and register with the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK. Some also hold registration with the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Informed by: Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK.

Family and systemic psychotherapists

Family and systemic psychotherapists (family therapists)

Family and systemic psychotherapy helps people in close relationships understand and support each other, drawing on strengths they already share. “Family” means any group of people who see themselves that way — parents and children, couples, carers, chosen family or the wider network around someone. The work looks at patterns of communication and at the systems people live in (home, school, work, community), and the aim is never to blame. Sessions can include individuals, couples, whole families or carers, and may be short-term or longer. People often seek this help around conflict, life transitions, mental health difficulties that affect everyone, parenting challenges, or when one person’s troubles are hard for others to respond to. The therapist’s role is to facilitate conversation and notice patterns, not to take sides.

Fully qualified family and systemic psychotherapists are registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy; training is accredited by the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy. Informed by: Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy.

Occupational therapists

Occupational therapists help people of all ages do the everyday things they want and need to do — what the profession calls “occupations”: looking after yourself, work, study, caring, getting out and about, hobbies and time with others. They look past a diagnosis to your hopes, consider your strengths and your surroundings, and agree a practical, personal plan with you. That might include new routines, pacing for fatigue or pain, sensory strategies, adaptations at home, or support to stay in or return to work or education. Sessions may happen at home, in clinic, at work or online, and often involve trying things out together rather than only talking, with progress measured by what you can do in daily life. Occupational therapists work across physical and mental health, with children and adults, in the NHS, social care, schools, workplaces and independent practice.

Protected title: occupational therapist — must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is the professional body. Informed by: Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Play therapists

Play is how children naturally communicate, long before they can easily link words to experiences. Play therapy is a child-centred form of counselling in which play is the primary language: children and young people use toys, art materials and imaginative play to show what troubles them at their own pace, without being questioned or required to explain. The therapist follows the child’s lead, reflects feelings, and helps them make sense of muddled or frightening experiences in a private, consistent setting. Sessions are usually weekly, at the same time and place, lasting about an hour. Parents and carers are typically involved in planning and review, while the detail of what happens in the playroom stays between the child and the therapist so the space feels safe. Play therapy is used for a wide range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including after upsetting or traumatic events.

Look for a registered play therapist on a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, such as those of the British Association of Play Therapists or Play Therapy UK. Informed by: British Association of Play Therapists · Play Therapy UK.

Psychologists

Practitioner psychologists — clinical, counselling, educational, health, forensic and others

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour. Practitioner psychologists apply that science to help with emotional, psychological, behavioural and neurological difficulties. Clinical psychologists assess and support a wide range of mental and physical health difficulties; counselling psychologists work with people’s experience of life events such as loss, trauma and relationships; educational psychologists work with children and young people in the context of school and home. Sessions often begin with assessment, then talking therapy, practical strategies or neuropsychology work, depending on the specialism. They work in the NHS, schools, workplaces and independent practice.

Protected titles include practitioner psychologist, clinical psychologist and counselling psychologist — these require Health and Care Professions Council registration. “Psychologist” on its own is not protected. The British Psychological Society is the professional body. Informed by: British Psychological Society · Health and Care Professions Council.

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors

Psychotherapy gives you time with a trained therapist to explore feelings, relationships and long-standing patterns, often in more depth or over a longer period than short-term counselling. Many psychotherapists think about what has happened to you rather than what is “wrong” with you. Approaches vary widely — psychodynamic, humanistic, integrative, cognitive behavioural and others — and some therapists also use art, music, drama or movement. People may come with anxiety, low mood, trauma, relationship difficulties or a wish to understand themselves more fully. Sessions are commonly weekly and around fifty minutes; work may be open-ended or time-limited. They see individuals, couples, families or groups, in person or online.

“Psychotherapist” is not a protected title, so check for registration with an accredited register such as the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy or the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society. Informed by: UK Council for Psychotherapy · British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Speech and language therapists

Speech and language therapists provide assessment, treatment and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing. That includes speech sound development, understanding and using language, stammering and cluttering, voice, social communication, literacy-related language needs, and alternative and augmentative ways of communicating. They also work with changes after a stroke, brain injury, progressive condition, learning disability, hearing loss or mental health difficulty. Goals are agreed with the person and those around them — parents, carers, teachers or colleagues — and therapy may happen at home, in school, in clinic, in hospital or online. Sessions are tailored and often include practical strategies to use between appointments, not only work in the room. Families, carers and teachers are often part of the work.

Protected titles: speech and language therapist, speech therapist — must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body. Informed by: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.