Taking the first step towards therapy can feel like a big decision. And once you start exploring your options, you might wonder where to begin.
Should you see a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist? What's the difference between CBT and other types of therapy? And how do you know which approach is right for you?
Different mental health professionals bring different qualifications, training and approaches. Understanding which support is most appropriate isn't always straightforward.
At Hive Wellness, we don't expect you to figure that out on your own.
Our clinical team takes time to understand your circumstances and recommend a professional we believe will be a great fit for you.
Understanding the Different Types of Therapy
At Hive, we've brought together qualified and experienced mental health professionals offering different therapeutic approaches.
While each offers something different, they share the same goal: helping you understand your experiences, navigate challenges and work towards meaningful change.
Counselling Approaches
Counselling provides a safe, confidential and supportive space to explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences.
You might be experiencing stress, relationship difficulties, grief or a period of change that's left you feeling uncertain or unlike yourself.
Counsellors are trained to listen therapeutically, help you recognise emotional patterns and develop greater self-awareness. Sessions offer an opportunity to explore your experiences without judgement, at a pace that feels comfortable.
At Hive, this category also includes psychosexual therapists, who provide specialist support for sexual and intimacy-related concerns.
When might counselling be helpful?
Counselling may be particularly valuable for emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, grief, low confidence or significant life changes. It can also support more complex difficulties when delivered by an appropriately experienced professional.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Psychotherapy
Both approaches help people understand and work through emotional and psychological difficulties, although they work in different ways.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is generally a structured, goal-focused approach exploring how thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another.
For example, if you're experiencing anxiety, your therapist might help you recognise unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies to manage them. CBT may also involve exercises between sessions.
Psychotherapy covers several therapeutic approaches and often explores emotional experiences, relationships and recurring patterns in greater depth.
It can help you understand how previous experiences influence your current emotions, relationships and wellbeing.
When might CBT or psychotherapy be helpful?
CBT may suit those looking for practical strategies and a structured approach, while psychotherapy may be helpful for exploring longstanding emotional patterns.
Both can support anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties and low self-esteem.
Psychological Therapies
Psychological therapies draw upon extensive professional training in psychological assessment, formulation and therapeutic intervention.
Psychologists consider how thoughts, behaviours, relationships, life experiences and wider circumstances contribute to emotional difficulties. They may combine several evidence-based approaches to tailor support to your needs.
An important part of this work may involve developing a psychological formulation: a shared understanding of how your difficulties developed, what's maintaining them and what could help you move forward.
Together, you'll develop therapeutic goals and an approach reflecting your individual circumstances.
When might psychological therapy be helpful?
Psychological therapy may be particularly valuable for persistent or interconnected difficulties, including longstanding anxiety, depression, trauma-related challenges or emotional regulation difficulties.
However, psychologist-led therapy isn't automatically necessary for everyone. The right professional depends on your individual needs.
Specialist Psychological Therapies
Some psychological difficulties are particularly complex, longstanding or connected to several areas of someone's life.
Specialist psychological therapies provide access to professionals with advanced clinical experience and particular areas of expertise.
Sessions may involve exploring overlapping difficulties, developing a detailed understanding of your experiences and creating a carefully tailored therapeutic approach.
When might specialist psychological therapy be helpful?
Our clinical team may recommend specialist support when difficulties are complex, persistent or haven't improved through previous therapy.
Importantly, more specialist therapy isn't automatically better therapy. What matters is finding the right professional for you.
Does the Type of Therapist Really Matter?
Yes, but perhaps not in the way you might think.
Different professionals bring different skills and approaches, but one type of therapy isn't automatically better than another.
Someone navigating a difficult relationship might benefit enormously from counselling, while someone experiencing persistent, overlapping difficulties may benefit from psychologist-led therapy.
The therapeutic relationship matters, too. Feeling comfortable, understood and supported can play an important role in your experience.
At Hive, our goal isn't to recommend the most specialist or expensive therapist. It's to recommend the professional we believe is best suited to you.
How Does Hive Help You Find the Right Therapist?
Finding therapy can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're already experiencing emotional or psychological challenges.
That's why we've developed a clinically guided matching process.
Step 1: We get to know you
When you reach out, we ask about what you're experiencing, the challenges you're facing and what you're hoping to achieve.
We also consider your preferences, circumstances and budget.
Step 2: Our clinical team works behind the scenes
Our clinical team reviews your information, considering your individual needs and which therapeutic approach may be most appropriate.
Rather than matching you with the next available therapist, we carefully consider who could provide the right support.
Step 3: We recommend your therapist
We'll explain your recommended therapist's professional background, why we believe they're a suitable match and the cost of their sessions.
You don't need to compare dozens of profiles or choose a therapeutic approach yourself.
And you're always in control of whether you'd like to proceed.
Step 4: You can get started
Once you're happy with your match, you'll gain access to your Hive Wellness portal.
Here, you can learn more about your therapist, view their availability and book and pay for sessions at a time that suits you.
What About the Cost of Therapy?
We recognise that therapy is an ongoing financial commitment, and believe you should have clear information before proceeding.
At Hive, all online sessions last 50 minutes, with prices ranging from £65 to £120 per session, depending on the professional and type of support.
Prices reflect differences in training, clinical experience and specialist expertise. However, a higher price doesn't necessarily mean a better therapeutic outcome.
Our clinical team considers your needs and budget, and we'll always explain the session fee before you decide to proceed.
Finding the Right Therapy Shouldn't Be Complicated
When you're looking for mental health support, you shouldn't have to become an expert in therapeutic approaches to find the right person.
That's why Hive takes a different approach.
Our clinical team carefully considers your needs and recommends a qualified professional whose skills and experience we believe are well suited to you.
Whether you're experiencing anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, stress or more complex challenges, you don't need to know which type of therapy you need before reaching out.
You tell us what you're experiencing. We take care of finding the right therapeutic match.
Because finding therapy should start with feeling understood, not having to figure everything out on your own.
Get matched with a trauma specialist
Five minutes now, a match usually within 24 hours.
No pressure, no deadline.
Dr Holly Milmine
DEdPsy, MSc, MA