Written in plain language, without jargon.
Look for a Master's degree or higher in clinical, counselling or applied psychology from a recognised university. For clinical psychologists, RCI registration is the relevant credential. A weekend certification course is not a qualification to practise therapy, and this distinction is not always made obvious on websites.
Practising therapists should receive ongoing clinical supervision — a senior professional reviewing their casework. A therapist who has no supervisory arrangement is working without a safety net, and it is entirely reasonable to ask.
Decades of research identify the therapeutic alliance as one of the strongest predictors of outcome, often outweighing the specific modality used. Do you feel heard? Can you disagree with them? Do you leave sessions with something to work with? These matter more than credentials beyond the minimum threshold.
Structured concerns such as panic, OCD, phobias and insomnia have specific evidence-based protocols — CBT, ERP, CBT-I — and it is fair to ask whether the therapist is trained in them. For broader concerns, approach matters less than relationship.
| Recognised Master's or higher | Essential |
| RCI registration (clinical psychologists) | Verify directly |
| Ongoing clinical supervision | Ask about it |
| Trained in a relevant protocol | Ask if your concern is specific |
| Guarantees a cure or fixed timeline | Red flag |
| Gives advice more than they listen | Red flag |
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