Starting therapy is rarely easy, and can often feel daunting. The right therapist will help you feel safe, seen, understood, accepted and respected. Together, you will work to create a space where you can feel brave and empowered to explore difficult experiences and thoughts, take on compassionate challenge, and work towards meaningful change.
For those of us with minoritised and marginalised identities, opening up to a stranger can feel especially daunting, even risky. This is totally normal, and it's why Pink Therapy is here, so that in tough times, you know your identity is never judged or up for debate.
Did you know that in the UK anybody can call themselves a counsellor, psychotherapist or even psychologist? That's why at Pink Therapy we have a minimum standard of training required to join, and ask all our members to commit to our code of ethical practice, engage in continued professional development relevant to GSRD therapy, and hold membership of another regulatory body.
With respect and acceptance at the core of our therapists' work, you can be free to do the work of therapy.
The Pink Therapy directory is the UK's largest network of LGBTQ+ and GSRD-affirmative therapists, truly the home of inclusive therapy. You can search using filters such as location, in-person or online, the issues you'd like support with, facets of identity, type of therapy, and whether this is individual or relationship therapy.
While it can feel helpful to tick lots of boxes, this can sometimes narrow the search too far. Instead, we recommend asking yourself what your most important one, two or three factors are, and starting there.
What about qualifications?
Try not to focus solely on qualification, title or years of experience. As you browse profiles, ask yourself:
Remember, you're not auditioning a new best friend, or someone to always agree with you. Sometimes therapy requires challenge, even disagreement, but this should always be compassionate and respectful.
We recommend making a shortlist of two or three therapists you're interested in, and making contact. Many offer a brief introductory conversation, an opportunity for both of you to speak, share, and decide whether it's a good fit.
In this consultation, you may want to ask about:
If you don't hear back immediately, please don't worry. Therapists are often in sessions during the day, so may take a moment to come back to you. This is totally normal. Curious what a typical session costs? Our guide to therapy fees covers what to expect.
After your consultation conversations, reflect on how the different therapists made you feel:
Remember, there is no such thing as the objectively best therapist. It's about finding the fit that's right for you.
Ready to Start Looking?
GSRD-affirmative practitioners
UK-wide directory search
Search by identity and need
