Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the ChatCBT FAQ page! Whether you're looking for a therapist to support your mental well-being or you're a practitioner wanting to list your practice, you'll find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. We've put this page together to help you navigate the directory, understand our processes, and make the most of your experience with ChatCBT.

If you can't find the answer to your question, feel free to contact us directly, and we'll be happy to help.

Please note: ChatCBT is a directory and a self-help resource — it is not a substitute for professional mental health care and is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or at risk of harm, please contact your GP, call 999, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123.

General Questions

What is ChatCBT? ChatCBT is a UK counselling directory that helps you find qualified CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) counsellors and psychotherapists across the country. It's designed to connect people looking for support with accredited professionals on their mental wellness journey.
Who can use ChatCBT? Anyone in the UK looking for CBT therapy or wider counselling support can use ChatCBT to browse listings and find a practitioner who suits their needs. Therapists can also use the platform to list their practice and reach new clients.
How does ChatCBT work? ChatCBT provides vetted listings of counsellors and psychotherapists. You can browse practitioners on the map or list view, sort and filter the results, view a therapist's full profile, and contact them directly to arrange your first session.
Is ChatCBT free to use? Yes, browsing and searching the directory is completely free for people looking for a therapist. For practitioners, we offer both free listings and premium listings, with premium listings receiving additional visibility.
Does ChatCBT provide therapy directly? No. ChatCBT is a directory that helps you find independent therapists — it doesn't provide therapy itself. Any therapeutic relationship is between you and the practitioner you choose. We do, however, offer free CBT self-help resources.

For Therapists — Listings

How can I add my listing? Click "Sign Up" to create an account, verify your email, then click "Add Your Listing" from your member dashboard and work through the form to add your details.
Who is eligible to list? We accept counsellors, therapists, and psychologists based in the UK who offer CBT as part of their practice, hold a Diploma-level qualification or higher (or a course of at least 400 hours of classroom-based tuition), and hold practitioner-level membership with a recognised professional body such as the BABCP, BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BPC, or HCPC.
What's the difference between a free and a premium listing? A free listing gives your practice basic exposure. A premium listing offers enhanced visibility, including a featured spot on the homepage, priority placement in search results, more detailed descriptions and additional images, and the ability to add promotional content and special offers.
How much does a premium listing cost? Premium listings are £3.99 per month or £35.99 per year. Every annual premium subscription also includes our CBT worksheets package free of charge.
Can I update my listing? Yes, you can edit your listing at any time from inside your account. Please allow 24–48 hours for changes to be reviewed and approved. You can also contact us and we'll make amendments for you.
How long does approval take? All listings are manually reviewed to ensure quality and accuracy. For Premium listings, please allow up to 24 hours for approval. Free listings may take up to 3 business days. You'll receive an email confirmation once your listing is live.
Can I upgrade or downgrade my subscription? Yes. Log into your Member Account, go to Settings, then Plans and Billing, where you can change your plan at any time.
Can I cancel my listing? Yes, you can cancel at any time from Settings > Plans and Billing, or by contacting us. If you cancel, your profile will be removed from the site within 7 days.
How many images can I upload? We recommend submitting at least 1–3 clear, relevant, high-quality images that represent you and your practice. Premium listings support additional images.
What type of content is allowed? Listings must contain accurate, complete, and up-to-date information — including your qualifications, specialisms, contact details, and operating hours. Descriptions should be well-written and avoid generic or overly promotional language. Spam and irrelevant links are not permitted.

Vetting and Verification

How do you vet therapists? Before any listing is approved, we verify that individual practitioners hold practitioner-level membership with a recognised professional body. For practices, we confirm that at least one therapist (or the practice itself) holds verified registration with a recognised body.
Which professional bodies do you recognise? We recognise practitioner-level membership with bodies including the BABCP, BACP, UKCP, NCPS, BPC, HCPC, the British Psychological Society, the Association of Child Psychotherapists, and COSCA, among others.
Does vetting guarantee a therapist's suitability? Our vetting confirms professional-body membership at the time of listing, but it isn't a substitute for your own checks. We strongly recommend confirming a therapist's current membership, professional insurance, and qualifications directly with them before your first session, as we don't actively monitor ongoing changes to registration status.
Are counsellors and psychotherapists regulated in the UK? There is currently no UK law defining the training required to practise as a counsellor or psychotherapist. Because of this, we require every listed professional to be registered with an overseeing professional body, giving you added assurance that they're suitably qualified and working to recognised standards.

Submissions and Approvals

How are listings approved? Every submission is manually reviewed by our team to check qualifications, professional-body membership, and content quality before it goes live.
What happens if my listing is rejected? If your listing doesn't meet our guidelines, we'll let you know why. You're welcome to make the necessary adjustments and resubmit.
Do I need an account to submit a listing? Yes. You'll need to create an account, verify your email, and submit your listing from your member dashboard so you can manage and update it going forward.
What happens if I submit incorrect information? Listings with incomplete or inaccurate information will be rejected. Please make sure all details are accurate and up-to-date before submitting.
How do I get help with my submission? If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to us and we'll be glad to help.

Using the Directory

How do I find a therapist? Use the search and filters on the homepage, or browse the map and list views to explore practitioners by location and specialism.
Can I filter my search? Yes, you can sort and filter listings to help you find a therapist who fits your needs, location, and preferences.
What will I find on a therapist's profile? Each profile includes a personal introduction, specialisms, location, fees, and contact details — all provided by the therapist themselves — so you can make a well-informed choice. If you'd like more information, you're welcome to contact them directly.
How do I contact a therapist? You'll find each practitioner's contact details on their profile page and can reach out to them directly to arrange an initial conversation or session.
Can I leave a review? Many listings support reviews. Sharing your experience helps others make informed decisions about the right therapist for them.
How should I choose the right therapist? Beyond our vetting, we recommend confirming a therapist's current professional-body membership, insurance, and qualifications before your first session, and choosing someone whose approach and specialisms feel right for you.
Is there a mobile app for ChatCBT? The directory is currently available via the website, which works well on mobile devices. We do offer a separate free CBT self-help app and resources via chatcbt.online.

Privacy and Security

How do you protect my data? We use appropriate security measures to protect your personal information. Full details are set out in our Privacy & Data Protection Policy.
Do you share my personal information with third parties? No, we don't sell or share your personal information. We only use it as needed to provide our service, as described in our privacy policy.
Can I update my personal information? Yes, you can update your account details at any time by logging in and editing your profile.
What should I do if I forget my password? Click the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it.
How do you handle spam? We don't tolerate spam. Any spammy or irrelevant content submitted through the platform will be removed.

Payment and Subscriptions

How do I pay for a premium listing? Premium subscriptions are paid securely at checkout when you submit or upgrade your listing. We accept major payment methods including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Discover, and PayPal.
Do subscriptions renew automatically? Yes, monthly and annual premium subscriptions renew automatically until you cancel. You can cancel at any time from Settings > Plans and Billing.
Is my payment information secure? Yes, all payments are processed securely through encrypted payment systems.
What happens to my listing if I cancel? If you cancel your subscription, your profile will be removed from the site within 7 days.

Advertising and Partnerships

How can I advertise or partner with ChatCBT? If you're interested in advertising or partnership opportunities, please get in touch and we'll share more information.
Do you offer featured or sponsored placements? Yes — premium listings include featured placement on the homepage for 7 days and ongoing priority in search results. Contact us for other promotional options.
Can I be featured on your social media channels? We occasionally feature listings across our Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube channels. Contact us if you'd like to be considered.

General Policies

How do I report an issue with a listing? If you spot an issue with a listing, please contact us and we'll look into it.
Can I suggest improvements to the directory? Absolutely — we welcome your feedback. Send any suggestions to us via our contact page.
Are there restrictions on who can be listed? Yes. We only accept UK-based counsellors, therapists, and psychologists who offer CBT, meet our qualification benchmark, and hold practitioner-level membership with a recognised professional body. See our Submission Guidelines and Therapist Vetting Policy for full details.
How can I contact the ChatCBT team? You can reach us any time via our contact page.

Website Updates

How often is the directory updated? We add new therapists and update the directory regularly to keep information accurate and current.
How can I stay informed about new listings and resources? Subscribe to our updates or follow us on social media for the latest listings, CBT resources, and news.

Legal

What are the terms and conditions for using ChatCBT? Please see our Terms & Conditions and, for practitioners, our Directory Subscriber Terms & Conditions for the full legal terms.
Who owns the content I submit? By submitting a listing, you retain ownership of your content but grant us permission to display it on the platform. See our Content Submission Rights policy for details.
Is ChatCBT responsible for the accuracy of listings? All profile information is provided by the therapists themselves. While we vet professional-body membership before approval, ChatCBT cannot be held responsible for inaccurate information provided by a listed professional, and is not a service for verifying credentials or professionalism. We encourage you to verify a therapist's details independently before your first session.
How do I opt out of ChatCBT emails? You can unsubscribe using the link in any of our emails, or by contacting us directly.

We hope this FAQ has answered your questions. At ChatCBT, we're committed to making it easier to find the right support for your mental well-being — and to helping qualified therapists connect with the people who need them. If you still have questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch via our Contact page. Your journey to mental wellness begins here.

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