Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming. Go with your gut! When looking online, you can only start with… what you see! Choose someone based on how you feel about their photo/blurb and then message to seek an introductory meeting. This initial assessment session is often an opportunity to feel into the dynamic and decide whether you feel safe and curious enough to carry on in that setting with that person. I recommend emailing a few practitioners, trying one, two or three out … to find someone who feels like the right fit for you.
If you keep trying new people over and over and never saying yes to continuing… then maybe sticking with someone is part of the challenge for you. Be open to trying out something unfamiliar or that feels more edgy – a different gender therapist for example, could be helpful in modelling a different experience than the one you expect or assumed is available.
Every therapist has their own style and modality focus. Some will suit you more than others. If you’ve been with one therapist for a long time… consider changing it up! What might a different modality do for you? You won’t know until you try it.
If finance is an issue, you could ask for fortnightly sessions. Many therapists also offer a discount price for low incomes.
Here are some websites that you can use to search for counsellors/therapists:
https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/city/bristol
https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/how-to-find-a-therapist