Your doctor may refer you to a counsellor. Or you can find private counsellors yourself in the phone book or on the internet. It's important to check that he or she is properly trained or registered with a professional organisation.

Some doctor surgeries have counsellors attached to them and your doctor can refer you directly to them. If this isn't available, your doctor can also refer you to a private counsellor or voluntary organisation. You can also find private counsellors in the local phone book, libraries and on the internet.

It's very important that you trust your counsellor from the start. You should not feel embarrassed about checking that he or she is properly trained or registered with a professional organisation. Most counsellors are registered with or accredited by them, but legally they don't have to be.