If you have started looking for a Clinical Psychologist in Bournemouth, you may have noticed something confusing about the titles people use. Some practitioners describe themselves as psychologists. Others use therapist, counsellor, or psychotherapist on the same page, sometimes interchangeably. The titles look similar at a glance. The legal weight behind them is not.
I am Dr Raminta Petrauskaite, an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist working with adults across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, and the wider Dorset area from my clinic in New Milton. The same handful of questions come up almost every week during free consultations. What does HCPC actually mean? How can you tell who is properly qualified before you book? My hope is that this guide makes the search a little simpler.
Why the title psychologist is not always what you think
In the UK, the word psychologist on its own is not legally protected. Anyone, regardless of training, can describe themselves as a psychologist on a website or business card. It is a quirk of the system that catches most people out, and it is one of the main reasons this article exists.
What is protected, by law, is the title Clinical Psychologist, along with related variants such as Counselling Psychologist and Health Psychologist. To use any of these titles, a practitioner must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, known as the HCPC. The HCPC is the statutory regulator for psychologists and several other health professions, and using a protected title without registration is a criminal offence.
It may sound like a small distinction. In practice it is one of the most important pieces of information you can hold when choosing where to invest your time, money, and trust.
What HCPC registration actually means
When you see someone described as an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist, several specific things are true about them.
Doctoral level training
A Clinical Psychologist in the UK has completed an undergraduate degree in psychology accredited by the British Psychological Society, then gained relevant experience in mental health settings, and then completed a three year Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, known as a DClinPsy. The doctorate is full time, funded by the NHS, and highly competitive. Six to ten years of training is typical from start to finish.
Accountability to a regulator
The HCPC sets standards of conduct, performance, and ethics that registered Clinical Psychologists must follow. If a member of the public has a serious concern, they can raise it with the HCPC, who can investigate and, where necessary, restrict or remove someone’s registration. This accountability is part of what protects you as the person seeking support.
Ongoing professional development
HCPC registration is renewed every two years. Clinical Psychologists must demonstrate continued learning, training, and reflection on their practice. The field of mental health is evolving constantly, and the person treating you should be evolving with it.
Insurance and supervision
Registered Clinical Psychologists carry professional indemnity insurance and engage in regular clinical supervision with another experienced practitioner. Supervision runs through every stage of a career, not just the early years. It is one of the things that keeps therapy safe.
How to check if someone is HCPC registered
You do not need to take anyone’s word for it, including mine. The HCPC keeps a public register that anyone can search for free.
- Go to the HCPC website and find the public register search.
- Type in the practitioner’s name.
- Check that their name is listed and the protected title matches what they advertise.
- Note the registration number for your records, especially if you are claiming therapy on health insurance.
You can do this in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea. A practitioner who is genuinely registered will be glad you checked.
Two further checks are worth a moment. If a Clinical Psychologist describes themselves as Chartered, this can be confirmed on the British Psychological Society register. If they offer EMDR, accreditation can be checked through EMDR UK and Ireland. These additional registers are not legally required, although they tend to be markers of specialist training and ongoing commitment.
Other professions you may come across in your search
The UK mental health landscape includes several different professions, and many of them do excellent work. The differences matter most when your situation is complex, when previous support has not moved the dial, or when you are unsure which kind of help you need.
The titles that are legally protected by the HCPC include Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, and Health Psychologist. All three require doctoral level training and HCPC registration.
Other titles you may come across in your search are not legally protected. Counsellor typically refers to someone trained to diploma or master’s level, often accredited through the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, known as BACP. Psychotherapist usually describes someone with four or more years of post graduate training in a specific modality, accredited through bodies such as UKCP or BABCP. Both can be helpful, particularly for specific life transitions, bereavement, and relationship work.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have specialised in mental health and are regulated by the General Medical Council. They are the only profession in this list who can prescribe medication, and they often work alongside Clinical Psychologists rather than instead of them.
A Clinical Psychologist is trained to work across the full range of presentations, from mild anxiety to severe and enduring difficulties. Doctoral training prepares a Clinical Psychologist to formulate, which means understanding the unique pattern of biological, psychological, and social factors that have shaped your difficulties, and then choosing the therapy approach that fits your formulation. This breadth tends to suit people whose situation feels layered or who are not yet sure what kind of support they need.
NHS Talking Therapies versus private therapy in Bournemouth
Bournemouth residents are served by Dorset HealthCare’s NHS Talking Therapies service, which offers free therapy through self referral. It is a genuinely valuable service, and for many presentations it is exactly the right starting point. There are also realities worth knowing when you plan your next steps.
The NHS service is structured in steps. Step 2 offers low intensity, often computerised or guided self help interventions. Step 3 offers one to one therapy with a qualified practitioner, most often CBT. Waiting times in Dorset vary considerably, and access to specialist modalities such as EMDR can take longer than the initial assessment.
Choosing private therapy, in Bournemouth or elsewhere, opens up a different set of options. You can choose your therapist and agree the modality you want to work with. The frequency of sessions sits with you, and most people start within days rather than months. Many of the people I see choose to remain on the NHS waiting list while beginning private work, particularly if their situation is time sensitive or if previous NHS rounds did not deliver what was needed.
Neither route is better than the other in the abstract. A free consultation is often the most efficient way to work out which fits your situation.
Seven questions to ask before you book your first session
Choosing a Clinical Psychologist is, in part, choosing someone you can trust with the parts of your life you do not show easily. The fit matters, and you are entitled to ask questions before you commit. Here are seven worth asking.
- Are you HCPC registered, and what is your registration number?
- What therapy modalities do you use, and how do you decide which is right for me?
- How do you measure progress, and how often will we review it together?
- What happens in the first session, and what might I expect to feel afterwards?
- What is your cancellation and refund policy?
- Do you offer a free initial consultation?
- Have you worked with situations similar to mine before?
A practitioner who answers these clearly and without rushing you is showing you something useful about how they will work in the room. If the answers feel evasive or pressured, trust that signal.
How Fortitudo Therapy fits these criteria
I am HCPC-registered as a Clinical Psychologist and Chartered with the British Psychological Society. The approaches I use are evidence based, including CBT, ACT, and EMDR, chosen on the basis of a careful formulation rather than a one size fits all template. Sessions are offered in person at Lush House in New Milton, twenty five minutes from central Bournemouth and easily reached from Christchurch, Poole, and the New Forest, with free parking on site. For those who prefer flexibility, online sessions are available across the UK.
Every new enquiry begins with a free twenty minute consultation. There is no obligation to book afterwards. The purpose is to give you a sense of how I work and to help you decide whether I am the right fit for what you are facing. If I am not, I will say so honestly and, where I can, point you towards someone who is.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private Clinical Psychologist cost in Bournemouth?
Fees vary by practitioner and session length. At Fortitudo Therapy, current fees are listed transparently on the Fees page. Many private health insurance policies, including Bupa, AXA, Aviva, and Vitality, cover sessions with a Clinical Psychologist subject to your individual policy. It is always worth checking with your provider before booking.
Do I need a GP referral to see a private Clinical Psychologist?
No. You can self refer at any time. A GP referral can be useful if you are claiming on health insurance, as some policies require it, although it is not necessary in order to book.
How long does therapy take?
That depends entirely on what you are bringing. Some difficulties resolve well within eight to twelve sessions. Others, particularly those involving complex or long standing patterns, take longer. Realistic expectations are discussed during your initial consultation, and progress is reviewed together throughout.
Can I have therapy online if I live in Bournemouth?
Yes. Online sessions are secure and effective for the majority of presentations. Many of the people I see combine online sessions with occasional in person visits, or choose online entirely when travel, work, or caring responsibilities make in person difficult.
Final thoughts
Looking for a Clinical Psychologist when you are already struggling can feel like one more thing on a long list. I hope this guide has made the search a little simpler. The most important takeaway is that you have every right to ask questions and to take your time. A practitioner who genuinely has your best interests at heart will welcome that.
Whatever you decide, and whether or not you choose to work with me, I hope you find someone who helps you feel heard and supported. That is what therapy, at its best, is for.
Reach out for support
If you would like to talk through whether Fortitudo Therapy is the right fit for you, I offer a free twenty minute consultation by phone or video call. There is no pressure to commit, and no judgement if you decide to look elsewhere. The purpose is simply to give you space to ask questions and to help you take the next step with confidence.
You are welcome to get in touch through the contact page or by phone. There is also an online booking link if that is easier. I look forward to hearing from you whenever you are ready.
Related reading
- What is a Clinical Psychologist? — What a Clinical Psychologist actually does, and how the role is regulated in the UK.
- What is EMDR? — A plain-English guide to one of the main therapy approaches I use.
- What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)? — How ACT works, and who it tends to suit.
