How Trusted Psychologists works
A simple, transparent way to find a Psychologist who is fully HCPC-registered, regulated, and accountable.
What this directory is
We’ve designed a directory that removes uncertainty and ensures you get the right support, from the right professional, first time.
What we are
Trusted Psychologists is an independent UK directory of HCPC-registered Psychologists. We list only practitioners who are statutorily regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, the UK body that protects the public by setting and enforcing standards for psychological practise.
What this means in practise:
- You can search and contact Psychologists directly through the site
- Every listed Psychologist’s HCPC registration is verified before their profile goes live
- You enquire and book directly with the Psychologist — we do not take fees, commissions, or come between you and the clinician
Sessions, fees, and the working relationship are between you and the Psychologist you choose
Why HCPC matters
Why we list only HCPC-registered Psychologists. In the UK, the title ‘Psychologist’ is not legally protected. Anyone can use it, regardless of training. The titles that ARE protected by law – Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, Health Psychologist and others – are protected through registration with HCPC. Using them without registration is a criminal offence.
HCPC registration means a Psychologist:
- Has completed approved postgraduate training to a regulated standard
- Meets the HCPC’s threshold standards of proficiency for safe and effective practice
- Is bound by HCPC’s standards of conduct, performance and ethics
- Maintains continuing professional development, audited by HCPC
- Is publicly accountable — concerns can be raised with HCPC, who can investigate, sanction, or remove practitioners from the Register
None of these are required of professionals using the unprotected titles ‘Psychologist’, ‘counsellor’, ‘psychotherapist’ or ‘therapist’.
How to use the directory
Search the directory
Use the search to find Psychologists who match your needs.
You can browse by:
- The issue you’d like help with (anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, and others)
- Type of help — therapy, assessment, or both
- Whether you’d prefer online or in-person sessions
Every Psychologist’s profile shows their HCPC registration number, training and qualifications, areas of specialism, approach, and fees. You can verify any Psychologist independently on the public HCPC Register at hcpc-uk.org.
Discover full profiles
Each profile gives you what you need to make an informed choice.
On every profile you’ll find:
- Full name and HCPC registration number
- Doctoral or equivalent training and accredited postgraduate qualifications
- Areas of clinical specialism
- Therapeutic approaches used (e.g. CBT, EMDR, ACT, psychodynamic)
- Session fees and whether they offer a free initial conversation
- How to make contact
If a Psychologist mentions an approach you’re not familiar with, every profile links to a short explanation of what each therapy is and what it’s typically used for.
Make contact
Enquire directly through the directory or via the Psychologist’s own contact details.
You can:
- Send a brief enquiry through the directory’s contact form, which goes straight to the Psychologist
- Email or phone the Psychologist directly using the contact details on their profile
- Visit the Psychologist’s own website if they have one linked
Most Psychologists offer a free 15-minute introductory call before any commitment. This is a chance to ask questions, get a feel for whether you’d work well together, and decide whether to book a first session.
We don’t take a cut of fees and we don’t sit between you and the Psychologist. Once you’ve enquired, the relationship is yours.
Begin work
Your Psychologist agrees a plan with you and the work begins.
In a first session a Psychologist will typically:
- Build a clear understanding of what you’d like help with
- Discuss the most appropriate evidence-based approach for your situation
- Agree expected goals and how progress will be reviewed
- Talk through practicalities — frequency, fees, confidentiality, and how to end work when the time is right
If at any stage the fit isn’t right, you are free to stop. You can return to the directory and find someone else. There’s no commitment to a course of work and no fees beyond sessions you’ve actually attended.
- All our Psychologists hold HCPC registration and use a protected title.
Common Questions
Do I need a referral?
No. You can contact Psychologists on the directory directly without a GP or third-party referral.
Many practitioners also work with insurers, employers, and legal referrals. If you’re using private medical insurance, it’s worth confirming that your chosen Psychologist is covered under your policy before booking.
How do I know my Psychologist is actually qualified?
Every Psychologist on this directory has been verified against the HCPC Register before their profile goes live. Their HCPC registration number is shown on their profile.
You can check any Psychologist independently at hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register. The Register is public, free to search, and authoritative.
Verification on this directory means we have confirmed:
- The Psychologist is currently registered with HCPC
- They hold one of the protected practitioner-Psychologist titles (most commonly Clinical, Counselling or Health Psychologist)
Their registration is active and not subject to current restrictions
What's the difference between a Psychologist and a therapist?
In the UK, the unqualified term ‘Psychologist’ is not legally protected — and neither are ‘therapist’, ‘counsellor’ or ‘psychotherapist’. There is no minimum required training, no statutory regulator, and no legal accountability framework for someone using these titles.
Practitioner Pychologist registered with HCPC are different. They have completed postgraduate doctoral or equivalent training in an approved programme, met the HCPC’s standards of proficiency, and are bound by ongoing standards of conduct and CPD requirements. Misuse of a protected title — for example, calling oneself a Clinical Psychologist without HCPC registration — is a criminal offence.
This directory lists only HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologists.
Is what I share confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of psychological practice and is set out in the HCPC’s standards of conduct, performance and ethics, which apply to every registered psychologist on this directory.
In practice this means:
- What you discuss in sessions is held confidentially by your Psychologist
- Your Psychologist’s records are kept securely and in line with GDPR and HCPC requirements
- Information is only shared in narrow, defined circumstances — for example, where there is a serious safeguarding risk to you or another person, or where required by law
- These limits to confidentiality will be explained to you clearly at the start of any work
Your Psychologist will discuss confidentiality with you in your first session, including how it applies to insurance, medico-legal work, or therapy involving more than one person.
How much does it cost?
Each Psychologist sets their own fees, which are shown on their profile.
Typical fees in the UK for a session with an HCPC-registered Psychologist range from £80 to £200, with assessments often charged at a different rate. Some Psychologists offer reduced fees in limited circumstances and many offer a free initial call before any commitment.
Many Psychologists are recognised by major private medical insurers including Bupa, AXA, Aviva and Vitality. If you have private health cover, contact your insurer first to confirm coverage and any pre-authorisation requirements.
How quickly can I start?
That depends on the Psychologist’s availability rather than the directory.
Most Psychologists on the directory respond to enquiries within two working days and can offer a first session within one to three weeks. Some have immediate availability. Specialist clinicians (for example, those working with eating disorders or complex trauma) may have longer waiting times.
If timing is important, contact two or three Psychologists rather than one — comparing availability is normal practice and most clinicians expect it.
- If you are in crisis
This directory is for people seeking ongoing psychological support. It is not an emergency service.
If you or someone close to you is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
If you need to talk to someone urgently, free 24/7 support is available from:
- Samaritans — call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
- Shout — text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111 — for non-emergency mental health support, including out-of-hours crisis lines in your area
Your GP can also help you access NHS mental health services and may be able to make an urgent referral.