Types of Therapist in the UK: What Each Does and How to Choose

In short: There are many kinds of therapist in the UK, and none is better than another. Some mainly talk with you, some use art, music, drama, movement or play, and some help with everyday activities, movement, eating or communication. Which suits you depends on what you want help with and what feels right. Whichever you choose, ask for their register and registration number and check it yourself.

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The main types, in alphabetical order

These are the professions you will most often come across, listed in alphabetical order. Each links to a fuller guide.

Arts therapists (art, music and drama)

Arts therapists use art, music or drama within psychotherapy to help people express and work through what is hard to put into words. You don’t need any artistic skill.

Checking the register: Art psychotherapist, art therapist, music therapist and dramatherapist are protected titles, so every practitioner must be on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register. Read the full guide.

CBT therapists

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a structured talking therapy that helps you change how you think and act in the present.

Checking the register: “CBT therapist” isn’t a protected title, so check the CBT Register UK, run by BABCP and AREBT. Read the full guide.

Child and adolescent psychotherapists

Child and adolescent psychotherapists help children, teenagers and young adults up to 25, and their parents, with emotional and mental health difficulties.

Checking the register: The Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) keeps a register that is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Read the full guide.

Counsellors

A counsellor offers a confidential space to talk through what is troubling you, and usually helps you find your own way forward rather than giving advice.

Checking the register: “Counsellor” isn’t a protected title in the UK, so check they’re on a PSA-accredited register, such as BACP, NCPS or UKCP. Read the full guide.

Dance movement psychotherapists

Dance movement psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses movement and dance alongside talking. You don’t need any dance experience.

Checking the register: The title isn’t protected by law, so check the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK Professional Register, or the UK Council for Psychotherapy register. Read the full guide.

Dietitians

Dietitians are qualified health professionals who assess and treat diet and nutrition problems.

Checking the register: Dietitian is a protected title, so check the HCPC register. “Nutritionist” is not protected. Read the full guide.

Family and systemic psychotherapists

Family therapy, also called family and systemic psychotherapy, is a talking therapy that looks at the relationships and patterns around a difficulty rather than blaming one person. It can be for a whole family, a couple, or one person on their own.

Checking the register: The title isn’t protected by law, so check the register. Fully qualified practitioners are registered with UKCP. Read the full guide.

Occupational therapists

If you or someone you care for is finding everyday life harder, an occupational therapist (OT) may be able to help.

Checking the register: Occupational therapist is a protected title, so check the HCPC register. Read the full guide.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists help you move, manage pain and fatigue, and regain function after illness or injury. Some work with neurological conditions and some with mental health, using movement, breathing and body awareness.

Checking the register: Physiotherapist is a protected title, so check the HCPC register. Read the full guide.

Play therapists

Play therapy is a form of counselling for children that uses play, rather than talking, as the main way to express feelings.

Checking the register: “Play therapist” isn’t a protected title in the UK, so check the practitioner is on a PSA-accredited register, such as those kept by the British Association of Play Therapists or Play Therapy UK. Read the full guide.

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who work in mental health.

Checking the register: Search the General Medical Council (GMC) register. If a doctor is on the Specialist Register, their entry shows the specialties they are qualified in, such as psychiatry. Read the full guide.

Psychologists

Practitioner psychologists, such as clinical and counselling psychologists, assess and help with emotional, psychological and behavioural difficulties.

Checking the register: “Psychologist” on its own isn’t protected, but titles like clinical psychologist are, so check the HCPC register. Read the full guide.

Psychotherapists

A psychotherapist offers talking therapy that often explores feelings, relationships and long-standing patterns in depth.

Checking the register: “Psychotherapist” isn’t a protected title in the UK, so check they’re on an accredited register such as UKCP, BPC, BACP or NCPS. Read the full guide.

Speech and language therapists

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) help children and adults with communication, and with eating, drinking and swallowing.

Checking the register: “Speech and language therapist” and “speech therapist” are protected titles, so check the HCPC register. Read the full guide.

How to choose when you’re not sure

1. Start with what you’d like help with. Notice whether you would like to talk, to express yourself in other ways such as art, music, drama or movement, or to get help with everyday activities, movement, eating or communication.
2. Think about what matters to you. For example online or in person, your budget, and whether the person is for you or for a child.
3. Read about the professions you’re considering. Our how to choose guide lets you read about each profession or compare up to four.
4. Check the register. Ask which register they’re on and for their number, then search for them yourself. See how to check a therapist is registered.
5. Ask questions before you book. Our questions to ask before you book list can help, and so can a short first call.

If you aren’t sure where to start, a GP can talk through the options with you. See do you need a referral?

Protected and unprotected titles

In the UK some titles are protected by law, which means anyone using them must be on the HCPC register. These include arts therapist titles, dietitian, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech and language therapist, along with practitioner psychologist titles such as clinical psychologist. Other titles, including counsellor, psychotherapist, CBT therapist and play therapist, aren’t protected, so anyone can use them. For those, look for a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Psychiatrists are doctors, and their register is held by the General Medical Council.

How Therapist Circle fits in

Therapist Circle is a free directory where practitioners from these professions have an equal place. On Therapist Circle, every practitioner on Find shows their register and registration number so you can check them yourself. Before a profile appears on Find, we look up the person’s name and number on their public register by hand, and we re-check listed practitioners at least once a year. A check is only correct on the day it was made, so please also check the register yourself. Therapist Circle is new and still growing, so there may be few or none listed near you yet. If so, please use the professional body’s own finder. It is often the quickest route.

You can search by profession, need and place. We don’t recommend, rank or guarantee any practitioner.

Common Questions

What types of therapist are there in the UK?

Common types include arts therapists, cBT therapists, child and adolescent psychotherapists, counsellors, dance movement psychotherapists, dietitians, family and systemic psychotherapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, play therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and speech and language therapists. They work in different ways, and none is ranked above another.

Which type of therapist is right for me?

There isn’t one right type for everyone. Think about what you would like help with and how you would like to work, read about the professions you are considering, check each person’s register, and ask questions before you book.

Are all therapists regulated?

Not all titles are protected by law. Titles such as arts therapist, dietitian, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and speech and language therapist are protected, so those practitioners must be on the HCPC register. Counsellor, psychotherapist, CBT therapist and play therapist are not protected, so look for a register accredited by the Professional Standards Authority. Always check the register yourself.

Do I need a GP referral to see a therapist?

Not usually for a private practitioner, but NHS routes vary by area and profession. See our guide on whether you need a referral.

Can I find all of these on Therapist Circle?

Therapist Circle lists registered practitioners from many professions, with equal standing, and you can search by profession, need and place. It is new and still growing, so there may be few or none listed near you yet.

Last reviewed 27 October 2026. Information is drawn from our profession guides, which use the NHS, HCPC and professional body websites, checked in October 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body.

Related: How to choose a therapist · How to check a therapist is registered · What happens in a first session · Is a therapist directory trustworthy?

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