Online therapy for individuals offers a private, secure space to explore your challenges with a qualified therapist. Get professional individual therapy & counselling in the UK. Explore options for seeking support and growth designed specifically for your unique situation, helping you discover new perspectives and build practical coping strategies for lasting change.
Find Your Path to Wellbeing with Individual Therapy Online
Personalised one-to-one therapy with UK-qualified therapists who understand what you're going through—all from the comfort of your home.
When Life Becomes Too Much to Handle Alone
Many people reach a point where daily challenges feel overwhelming—constant anxiety, persistent low mood, relationship difficulties, or troubling thoughts that won't go away. These struggles can leave you feeling isolated and uncertain about where to turn.
What you're experiencing is more common than you might think. In 2022/23, NHS Talking Therapies received referrals for over 1.76 million people in the UK for anxiety and depression, showing that seeking support is a natural response to life's difficulties.
Personal Support Tailored to Your Unique Journey
Individual therapy offers a dedicated space where you can speak openly about what's troubling you with someone trained to listen and guide. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you to understand your specific challenges, helping you develop insights and practical tools designed specifically for your needs.
With online individual therapy in the UK, you gain flexibility to connect from home, work, or wherever feels comfortable. This modern approach maintains the same professional standards as in-person sessions while eliminating travel time and making it easier to fit therapy into your busy life.
Common Questions About Starting Individual Therapy
"Is my problem serious enough for therapy?"
If it's affecting your quality of life or causing distress, it's worth exploring. Individual therapy isn't just for crisis situations—it's for anyone wanting to improve their wellbeing.
"Will online therapy be as effective as in-person sessions?"
Research shows online individual therapy achieves equivalent results to face-to-face sessions for many issues, with studies showing online CBT has similar effectiveness rates for addressing anxiety and depression.
"What if I feel uncomfortable talking about personal things?"
Moving at your own pace is central to good therapy. Your therapist will create a safe, non-judgmental space where you control what you share and when.
"How long will I need to be in individual therapy?"
This varies based on your goals and circumstances. Some people benefit from just a few sessions, while others prefer longer-term support. Your therapist will regularly review progress with you.
Not Sure if Individual Therapy is right for you?
Our quick quiz can help you understand if therapy could be beneficial.
Our Quick Quiz Helps You:
- Learn what therapy actually involves
- Understand how it might help you
- Discover what to expect from sessions
- Get clarity on practical matters like costs
Expert Support That Puts You First
At UK Therapy Guide, we understand that finding the right online individual therapist is crucial to your experience. With over a decade of connecting people with trusted therapists, we offer:
- Personalised therapist matching through our placement call service—real humans, not algorithms
- Carefully vetted, highly qualified therapists specialising in various approaches
- Flexible online sessions that fit your schedule
- Secure, confidential video platform designed specifically for therapy
- Options for different budgets and session frequencies
How it Works
Finding the right online therapist shouldn't feel overwhelming. Our simple, personalised process ensures you're matched with the perfect counsellor for your needs.
Share Your Preferences
Complete our brief placement form to tell us about your needs, schedule preferences, and what you're looking for in a therapist.
Free Consultation Call
Have a friendly chat with our placement specialists who'll take the time to understand your situation and match you with the perfect therapist for your needs.
Begin Your Journey
Meet your carefully matched therapist and start working together through regular sessions to achieve your therapeutic goals.
Meet Our Online Therapists in the UK
Finding the right online counsellor shouldn't be complicated. Our placement team personally knows every counsellor in our network, ensuring we can match you with someone who truly understands your needs.
I was skeptical about online therapy, but from the first session, it felt natural and personal. My therapist helped me manage my anxiety, and now I have practical tools for daily stress. The flexibility to fit sessions around my work schedule was invaluable.
Understanding Individual Therapy and How It Works
Individual therapy (also known as individual counselling or individual psychotherapy) creates a confidential, one-to-one relationship between you and a trained professional. Unlike group settings, individual therapy focuses exclusively on your unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings, allowing for deeper exploration of personal challenges.
During sessions, your therapist will use evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific needs. These might include:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - helping you identify and change negative thought patterns
- Psychodynamic therapy - exploring how past experiences influence current feelings and behaviours
- Person-centred therapy - focusing on your natural capacity for growth in a supportive environment
- Integrative approaches - combining different techniques for a personalised experience
Sessions typically last 50 minutes and occur weekly. You can adjust the frequency based on your preferences and needs. The therapeutic relationship develops over time, creating a foundation of trust that enables meaningful progress.
Benefits of Online Individual Counselling
Online individual counselling has transformed how people access mental health support in the UK, offering numerous advantages over traditional in-person sessions:
Enhanced Privacy and Comfort
Connecting from your own space often makes it easier to open up about sensitive issues. Research shows many clients feel more comfortable discussing difficult topics when in familiar surroundings.
Greater Accessibility
Online individual counselling eliminates geographical barriers, making quality care available regardless of your location in the UK. This is particularly valuable for those with mobility issues, caring responsibilities, or living in areas with limited mental health services.
Flexible Scheduling
Without commute times, fitting individual therapy into busy schedules becomes more manageable. This flexibility contributes to higher completion rates, with UK digital therapy platforms now supporting 185,000 additional patients annually compared to traditional services alone.
Consistent Support
Bad weather, transport strikes, or minor illnesses no longer mean missed appointments, allowing for more consistent therapeutic progress and better outcomes over time.
Finding the Right Individual Psychotherapy Approach For You
Effective individual psychotherapy largely depends on finding an approach that resonates with your personal preferences and specific challenges. The UK's mental health landscape offers various evidence-based options to consider:
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Approaches
Some therapeutic models, like solution-focused therapy, aim to achieve specific goals in 6-12 sessions. Others, such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, often extend longer to address deeper patterns. Both approaches have proven effectiveness for different concerns.
Structured vs. Exploratory Methods
Structured approaches like CBT follow a clear framework with specific exercises and homework, while exploratory therapies like person-centred counselling provide space for self-discovery through open conversation. Your preference for structure can guide your choice.
Consider Your Primary Concerns
Research indicates certain approaches work particularly well for specific issues:
- For anxiety disorders: CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy show strong outcomes
- For depression: CBT, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic approaches all demonstrate effectiveness
- For relationship difficulties: Emotion-focused therapy and psychodynamic approaches often help
- For trauma: EMDR and trauma-focused CBT have substantial evidence bases
When connecting with an online individual therapist through UK Therapy Guide, our placement specialists will help explain different approaches and match you with a professional whose methods align with your needs and preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Individual Therapy
- What exactly is individual therapy?
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Individual therapy is a collaborative process between you and a trained mental health professional. In a private, confidential setting, you'll work together to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, develop insights about patterns in your life, and build strategies to address specific challenges or improve overall wellbeing.
- How do I know if I need individual therapy?
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If you're experiencing persistent emotional distress, relationship difficulties, troubling thoughts, or behaviours that interfere with daily functioning, therapy might be helpful. Many people also seek individual counselling during major life transitions or simply to better understand themselves. There's no "minimum threshold" of suffering required—if you think you might benefit, it's worth exploring.
- What's the difference between counselling, psychotherapy, and CBT?
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Individual counselling typically focuses on present challenges and is often shorter-term. Individual psychotherapy may explore deeper patterns and past experiences over a longer period. CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is a specific approach that targets the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. At UK Therapy Guide, we have specialists in all these approaches.
- How effective is online individual therapy compared to in-person?
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Research consistently shows online therapy is equally effective for many common mental health concerns. Studies examining online CBT for depression and anxiety have found comparable outcomes to face-to-face therapy, with some people actually preferring the online format for its convenience and comfort.
- How long does individual therapy usually last?
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This varies widely based on your goals and the complexity of your concerns. Some people achieve what they need in 6-12 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term work over several months or even years. Most therapists will discuss timeframes with you early on and regularly review progress.
- How much does individual therapy cost in the UK?
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With UK Therapy Guide, session costs typically range from £50-£90, depending on the therapist's experience and qualifications. Many therapists offer concession rates for students or those on lower incomes. We believe in transparency, so all fees are clearly displayed on therapist profiles.
- Will my health insurance cover individual therapy?
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Many UK private health insurers do cover therapy services. We can provide the documentation you need to submit claims, but we recommend checking with your insurance provider about their specific requirements and coverage limits before starting therapy.
- How do I choose the right online individual therapist?
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Consider factors like their qualifications, experience with your specific concerns, therapeutic approach, and whether their session times work for you. Most importantly, trust your instinct about the connection you feel during an initial consultation. At UK Therapy Guide, our placement specialists can help match you with therapists likely to be a good fit.
- Is everything I say in individual therapy confidential?
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Yes, with specific exceptions required by law and professional ethics. These limits to confidentiality typically involve serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or safeguarding concerns regarding children or vulnerable adults. Your therapist will explain their confidentiality policy in detail during your first session.
- What if I don't connect with the therapist I'm matched with?
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The therapeutic relationship is crucial for effective therapy. If you don't feel comfortable after a session or two, let us know. Our placement team will help you find a better match without any awkwardness. Finding the right fit is part of the process, and we're committed to helping you connect with someone you feel comfortable working with.