--- title: "Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step" description: "Thinking about finding a therapist in Guildford but feeling overwhelmed by the choice? This is a straightforward look at what to consider and how to take that first practical step towards getting the support you need in Surrey." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "CBT & Counselling Surrey", "url": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/", "telephone": "+441483319208", "areaServed": "Surrey, UK" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "Organization", "ProfessionalService" ], "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/#organization", "name": "CBT & Counselling Surrey", "url": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk", "telephone": "01483 319 208", "areaServed": [ { "@type": "AdministrativeArea", "name": "Surrey" }, { "@type": "Country", "name": "United Kingdom" } ], "priceRange": "£68-£80", "hasCredential": [ "BACP — British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy", "NCPS — National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society", "BABCP — British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies", "UKCP — UK Council for Psychotherapy", "NCIP — National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists" ], "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "description": "Monday to Sunday", "opens": "08:00", "closes": "21:00" } ], "dateModified": "2026-09-14" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/#webpage", "url": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/", "name": "CBT & Counselling in Surrey", "description": "CBT & Counselling Surrey is a private therapy practice providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and couples therapy across Surrey and…", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "dateModified": "2026-09-14", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/#website" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I get CBT and counselling in Surrey?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "CBT & Counselling Surrey is a private therapy practice providing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and couples therapy across Surrey and online throughout the UK. Individual CBT and counselling sessions are £68 and couples sessions are £80, each lasting 60 minutes. Online and face-to-face sessions are the same price. Our therapists are professionally qualified. Professional-body membership, registration and accreditation status vary by therapist and are shown on each individual profile. Bodies represented across the network include BACP, NCPS, BABCP, NCIP and others. You can book directly online without a GP referral." } } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step", "description": "Thinking about finding a therapist in Guildford but feeling overwhelmed by the choice? This is a straightforward look at what to consider and how to take that first practical step towards getting the support you need in Surrey.", "image": "https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/starting-therapy-in-guildford-rjiqa2.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80", "datePublished": "2026-09-21T08:18:36.071+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-09-21T08:18:42.410278+00:00", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "CBT & Counselling Surrey" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "CBT & Counselling Surrey", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/logo.png" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog/starting-therapy-in-guildford" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step", "item": "https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog/starting-therapy-in-guildford" } ] } ] --- [![CBT & Counselling Surrey](/assets/logo-surrey-D4YNr6_A.webp)](/) - [Home](/) - [What To Expect](/what-to-expect) - We Can Help With - [Young Person Therapy](/problems/teenager-young-person-counselling) - [Our Therapists](/therapists) [Locations](/locations)- [Fees](/fees) - [Reviews](/reviews) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Contact](/contact) [Login](/auth)[Book Now](/find-your-therapist) 4.9 Rated Highly Qualified & Experienced Therapists Sessions Available Mon–Sun 8am–9pm [hello@cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk ](mailto:hello@cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk)[Call us: 01483 319 208 ](tel:01483319208)[Book Now](/find-your-therapist) 1. [Home](/) - [Blog](/blog) - Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step [Back to Blog](/blog) # Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step September 21, 2026 ![Hands pointing at Guildford map on a wooden bench with keys and phone, town in background.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/starting-therapy-in-guildford-rjiqa2.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) ## Starting Therapy in Guildford: A Practical First Step You’ve typed the words ‘therapy Guildford’ into your phone, maybe late at night or while waiting for the kettle to boil. Sometimes you hit search, scan the results for a minute, and then close the tab. Other times, you just delete the words before anyone can see. Taking that first step can feel huge. It’s not just a search; it’s an admission that things aren’t quite right, and the thought of explaining that to a stranger can be daunting. What if they don’t understand? What if it doesn’t work? The list of questions can be paralysing. ### But where do you even start? Seeing a long list of names and qualifications for [counselling in Guildford](https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/counselling-guildford) can feel more confusing than helpful. It’s easy to get stuck, worrying about making the ‘wrong’ choice. I think it helps to simplify the process. The goal isn’t to find the ‘perfect’ therapist on day one. It’s simply to find a professional you feel comfortable enough talking with. Before you even look at names, it might be useful to ask yourself a gentle question: what is it that’s prompting me to look for help right now? Is it a constant, low-level worry, a bit like that [quiet hum of anxiety](https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog/constant-hum-anxiety) in Guildford that never seems to switch off? Or perhaps life just feels flat, like you’re going through the motions and can’t seem to reconnect with yourself. ### Making sense of the options You'll see different terms used, like counselling and [CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)](https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog/cbt-therapy-counselling-surrey). They often overlap, but there are some general distinctions. - **Counselling** is often a space to talk through your feelings and experiences to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your situation. - **CBT** is typically more structured. It focuses on the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helping you develop practical strategies for managing specific difficulties like anxiety or low mood. Many therapists, including us, integrate different approaches. You don’t need to be an expert on this; a good therapist will discuss what might be most helpful for you. ### What to look for when finding a therapist When you look at a therapist’s website, try to get a sense of their approach. Do they sound warm and professional? Is the information clear? Look for details about how they work, their qualifications (they should be registered with a professional body like the BACP or UKCP), and their fees. This transparency is a good sign. At our practice, we are always clear about the practicalities. We offer both face-to-face sessions across Surrey and online appointments, so you can choose what works best for your schedule. Our fee is £68 for a full hour session, and we work on a session-by-session basis. There’s no pressure for a long-term commitment, which can take some of the weight off starting. ### What happens in a first session? The first session is not an intense interrogation. It’s a conversation. It’s your opportunity to share a bit about what’s been going on for you and what you’d like to be different. It's also a chance for you to see how you feel talking to the therapist. Do they listen? Do you feel heard? The aim is for you to leave with a sense of clarity and perhaps a little bit of hope. The decision to continue is always yours. For many people I've worked with in Guildford, simply taking that step and having that first conversation is a significant moment of relief. If you're considering [mental health support in Surrey](https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/blog/mens-mental-health-surrey-cbt-2) and feel ready to talk, we are here to help. You can contact us to [book an initial session](https://cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk/what-to-expect) in person or online. It might just be the practical first step you’ve been looking for. Written by Sian Jones, Founder of CBT & Counselling Surrey. Sian has extensive experience helping individuals manage anxiety, stress, low mood and other emotional challenges. Tags: therapy guildford counselling guildford finding a therapist starting therapy CBT & Counselling Surrey Share: [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fstarting-therapy-in-guildford&text=Starting%20Therapy%20in%20Guildford%3A%20A%20Practical%20First%20Step)[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fstarting-therapy-in-guildford)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk%2Fblog%2Fstarting-therapy-in-guildford&title=Starting%20Therapy%20in%20Guildford%3A%20A%20Practical%20First%20Step) ## More Articles ![Man in a suit using his phone on a busy street with iconic British clocks and buses.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/anxiety-and-stress-in-guildford-fmqiz8.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) September 15, 2026 [ ### That Quiet Hum of Anxiety in Guildford ](/blog/anxiety-and-stress-in-guildford) Guildford is a beautiful place to live, but the pressure to keep up can be intense. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the constant pace, you're not the only one. This is for anyone feeling the strain behind the picture-perfect backdrop. [Read Article](/blog/anxiety-and-stress-in-guildford) ![Ivy-covered stone knight statue overlooking a village with a church tower on a cloudy day.](https://rxvhnvwmfwrneowddnji.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/blog-images/overcoming-anxiety-in-guildford-zm3x5y.png?width=1200&resize=contain&quality=80) September 10, 2026 [ ### When Anxiety Feels Like Your Default Setting ](/blog/overcoming-anxiety-in-guildford) Does anxiety feel like a constant background noise in your life? We look at why worries can become so deep-rooted and share practical steps for managing persistent anxiety in Guildford and across Surrey. [Read Article](/blog/overcoming-anxiety-in-guildford) [![CBT & Counselling Surrey](/assets/logo-surrey-D4YNr6_A.webp)](/) Professional CBT & Counselling services across Surrey. Supporting individuals and couples with a wide range of mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. ### Quick Links - [Home](/) - [Our Therapists](/therapists) - [Book Appointment](/find-your-therapist) - [Contact Us](/contact) - [FAQ](/faq) - [Glossary](/glossary) - [Join Our Team](/join) ### Problems We Help With - [Anxiety](/problems/anxiety) - [Young Person Therapy](/problems/teenager-young-person-counselling) - [Bereavement](/problems/bereavement-counselling) - [Depression](/problems/depression) - [Anger Management](/problems/anger-management) - [Jealousy & Insecurity](/problems/jealousy-insecurity) ### Contact Us - 10 Surrey towns - [hello@cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk](mailto:hello@cbtandcounsellingsurrey.co.uk) - [01483 319 208](tel:+441483319208) © 2026 CBT & Counselling Surrey. All rights reserved. [Part of The Global Therapy Group](/our-therapy-network)[Terms & Conditions](/terms)[Privacy Policy](/privacy)[AI reference](/llms.txt)Cookie Settings ### We value your privacy We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised ads or content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to our use of cookies. Read our [Privacy Policy](/privacy) for more information. Accept AllEssential OnlyCustomise ![](https://bat.bing.com/action/0?ti=187255498&Ver=2&mid=2c5562f2-f84a-41f1-9ba0-50191505bf7e&bo=1&sid=bd8e9e60b80311f19b9e8b586b183589&vid=bd8eadd0b80311f18b55f757ebd736a3&vids=1&msclkid=N&pi=918639831&lg=en-US&sw=800&sh=600&sc=24&nwd=1&tl=CBT%20%26%20Counselling%20in%20Surrey%20%7C%20CBT%20%26%20Counselling%20Surrey&p=https%3A%2F%2Fkent-connect-book.lovable.app%2Fblog%2Fstarting-therapy-in-guildford&r=<=859&evt=pageLoad&sv=2&cdb=AQAQ&rn=932241) 💬 Chat with us × Hi! How can I help you today? Tap an option or just ask. Book a sessionFind the right therapistRequest a callbackAsk about pricing Assistant is typing… Send