Choosing a Therapist: Why Supervision and Personal Therapy Matter

If you are looking for therapy, it can be difficult to know how to choose the right therapist. The title “therapist” is not legally protected in the UK, which means training, supervision and professional standards can vary significantly. It can be useful to know that Therapists who do undertake supervision and personal therapy usually pay for this themselves, so this may affect the price they charge.

When you sit in therapy or counselling, it can look like it’s just you and your therapist in a room.

Yet often there is much more to the picture. Behind every session, there can be structures in place designed to protect you, support the work, and ensure therapy does not depend solely on one person’s judgement.

If you are considering therapy, understanding what happens behind the scenes can help you make a more informed decision.

Here is what that looks like in my practice.

What Is Supervision in Therapy?

I meet regularly with a qualified, experienced and accredited Psychotherapist to confidentially discuss my clinical work. This process is called supervision. All client material discussed in supervision is anonymised and handled in accordance with professional confidentiality guidelines.

Supervision exists for one reason: client safety and quality of care.

As a UKCP trainee, I am required to have one hour of supervision for every six hours I spend with clients (sometimes called a 1:6 ratio). The UKCP has a comparatively high supervision requirement among professional bodies, and supervision continues after qualification. Other professional bodies also require supervision; for example, BACP requires one hour per eight client hours.

In supervision, we think carefully about the work. We consider what may be happening beneath the surface, where there may be blind spots, and how to ensure the therapy is serving the client’s needs. It is a place of support, but also of challenge.

Supervision is designed to act as a safeguard. It means there is never only one mind thinking about complex therapeutic work. The supervisor also has a supervisor.

Not all individuals offering therapy are required to have supervision. When choosing a therapist, it is entirely reasonable to ask about their supervision arrangements.

Why Personal Therapy Matters for Therapists

To qualify as a UKCP psychotherapist, a minimum of 160 hours of personal therapy is required - usually equating to around four years of weekly psychotherapy. This is considered essential within traditional psychodynamic and relational training.

Psychotherapy - particularly psychodynamic therapy - works with unconscious processes. This means aspects of the therapeutic relationship may emerge that neither person is immediately aware of.

If a therapist is unaware of their own patterns, wounds or triggers, there is a risk these could interfere with the work. Training therefore demands deep personal exploration, which can bring previously unexamined material into awareness. This is part of ensuring that a practitioner remains reflective and grounded when therapy becomes emotionally challenging (which it usually does). As Carl Jung wrote, “A therapist can only take the patient as far as he has walked himself.”

Personal therapy ensures that I know what it feels like to be a client and that I continue working on any new material. Anything stirred up in supervision can then be processed responsibly.

There are legitimate qualifications where personal therapy is not required at all. When looking for therapy, it can be helpful to ask a therapist about their own therapeutic experience and training requirements.

Do Therapists Need to Be “Healed”?

Some people worry that if a therapist is in therapy themselves, it means they are not “well enough.”

In my experience, the opposite is often true.

I would personally now choose to work with someone who is aware of their vulnerabilities and has actively reflected on them, rather than someone who believes they are entirely unaffected by life’s experiences.

I do not believe human beings are completely “trauma free” or “totally healed.” We are all shaped by our experiences. The important question is not whether a therapist has been impacted by life, but:

• Are they conscious of it?

• Are they willing to examine it?

• Do they have support structures in place if something becomes activated in the work?

When therapy touches painful material, it can resonate on both sides of the room. That is not a failure - it is a key part of relational work.

The critical difference is whether there are safeguards in place - such as supervision and personal therapy - to ensure that anything activated in the therapist is noticed and worked through safely. This is ultimately for the client’s benefit.

Therapy: What to Look For

If you are seeking therapy or counselling, it is worth taking time to check a therapist’s:

• Professional membership (for example, UKCP, BACP or NCPS & there are others)

• Supervision arrangements

• Training background

• Personal therapy requirements (was personal therapy part of a therapist’s training)

Because therapy in the UK is not regulated by title, standards can vary. Asking thoughtful questions can help you feel more confident in your choice.

Therapy works best when it is built on safety, openness and mutual respect.

Questions You Can Ask a Therapist

You are absolutely entitled to ask questions before therapy or counselling.

You might consider asking:

• Do you have a supervisor?

• How often do you see them?

• Have you completed personal therapy? How much?

• Are you currently in therapy?

A therapist should be able to answer these transparently. If you notice feeling uneasy about how those questions are received, it may be worth gently reflecting on whether the fit feels right for you.

You deserve a therapist who understands that this work is powerful, relational and deeply human - and who is committed to handling that responsibility with care.

Good therapy or counselling is not just about what happens in the room. It is also about the structures that quietly protect the work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

Is therapy regulated in the UK?
The title “therapist” is not legally protected in the UK. Professional bodies such as UKCP and BACP set their own standards around training, supervision and personal therapy.

How do I find a qualified therapist?
You can look for therapists registered with recognised professional bodies and ask about supervision, training and therapeutic approach.

Do all therapists have supervision?
Supervision requirements depend on the practitioner’s training and professional membership. It is reasonable to ask about this before beginning therapy.

Availability and Getting in Touch

I periodically take on new clients when space allows. If you would like to be informed about future availability, you are welcome to get in touch here.