We have several different kinds of therapist at Hope Meadows, and we know the terminology can be confusing. Counsellor, psychotherapist, psychologist... what does it all actually mean? 

 

You might already know who you want to see when you come for your visit or initial assessment, and that's great. If you're not sure, that's absolutely fine too. To give you more information, we've created this plain-English guide to the three types of therapy you might come across in our organisation.

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Remember, part of our initial assessment process is to match you with a therapist based on what you need support with, your budget, and your preferences. You don't need to decide for yourself, just book an appointment and we can talk it all through.

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Counsellor

Offers: a space where you can talk and be truly heard.

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Counselling offers a confidential, non-judgmental way to explore what's going on in your life. Counsellors are trained to listen deeply, help you make meaning from your experiences in the here-and-now, and gently highlight patterns you might not have noticed on your own. It's collaborative, and it's led by you.

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Helpful for:

• life transitions

• anxiety

• relationship difficulties

• low mood

• stress

• self-esteem

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This might be for you if you want to talk things through and feel genuinely heard. It's useful for people who feel something is off in their life and they need support to make sense of it.

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Psychotherapist

Offers: a deeper approach to mental health difficulties

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A psychotherapist understands that we may unconsciously carry the imprint of  any difficult early experiences many years later. This approach works by exploring how these patterns from our past are, without our awareness, still impacting on our present. It's often profoundly effective where here-and-now approaches (such as counselling or CBT) haven't shifted things.

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Helpful for:

• trauma (single incident or complex)

• PTSD

• Long-standing depression or anxiety

• chronic stress or burnout

• feeling stuck

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This might be for you if you've tried short-term therapies and things haven't changed in the way you'd like. .

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Counselling Psychologist

Offers: depth, complexity, and a wider lens

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A counselling psychologist holds a doctoral-level qualification and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They bring together psychological theory, research, and therapeutic practice, and they are trained to work with a wide range of presentations, including the most complex or longstanding mental health difficulties. They can draw on multiple approaches and offer psychological formulation: a richer picture of why you are the way you are, and what might help.

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Helpful for:

• complex or longstanding mental health difficulties

• trauma (single incident or complex)

• identity and/or relationship difficulties

• eating disorders

• psychological formulation

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This might be for you if you've been struggling for a long time, carry a diagnosis (or several diagnoses), or simply want someone trained to hold real complexity. A counselling psychologist can offer both depth of understanding and flexibility of approach.

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Equine Assisted Psychotherapy​

Regardless of their core training, each of our therapists uses Equine Assisted Psychotherapy at Hope Meadows. This is an approach that focuses on connection - so you will have the opportunity to explore how you relate to yourself, the herd, and those around you. All sessions are outdoors unless you request otherwise, with plenty of natural space to move, process, and just be. Our standard approach is weekly sessions, though fortnightly spaces may be available on request to support affordability.

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Fees

The cost of a session varies by therapist, so if you already know which type of therapist you'd like to see then it is worth checking out our fees page so that you are prepared for the cost.

 

Whilst we offer affordable options where possible, we know it can still feel like a big commitment of time, energy, and financial resources. But therapy can also be one of the most beneficial investments in your wellbeing, your relationships, and the version of yourself you're trying to grow into. 

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Still not sure?

That's understandable. Many people start by coming to an initial assessment before committing to anything, and we know the relationship with the therapist matters as much as the title. If you'd like to talk through what might suit you, or meet some of our team, we're always happy to offer that.