Why More People Are Starting Therapy, And Why Some Still Put It Off.

More people in the UK are starting therapy.

According to BACP’s 2026 Public Perceptions Survey, 37% of UK adults have now seen a therapist, up from 35% last year. Among 16 to 24-year-olds, nearly one in three have had counselling or psychotherapy.

That tells us something important.

Therapy is becoming more normal. More people are recognising when they need support. But many still wait, delay, or question whether what they are dealing with is serious enough.

For men in particular, starting therapy can still feel like a difficult step.

What people are seeking therapy for

The BACP survey found that the top reasons people sought therapy in the last two years were:

Anxiety, 62%

Stress, 52%

Depression, 47%

Confidence and self-esteem, 31%

Trauma and PTSD, 24%

These are not rare or unusual issues. They are common reasons people reach out for support.

You might be feeling anxious, under pressure, low, burnt out, disconnected, angry, or unable to switch off. You may still be getting through the day, going to work, supporting others and appearing fine from the outside.

But that does not mean you have to keep carrying it alone.

Burnout is becoming harder to ignore

The survey also found that work-related burnout now affects nearly one in five adults, rising from 16% last year to 19% this year. Among 25 to 34-year-olds, that figure rises to 30%.

Burnout is not simply being tired after a busy week.

It can feel like emotional exhaustion, loss of motivation, irritability, numbness, poor sleep, or a sense that you cannot keep pushing through in the same way.

Many men are used to coping by carrying on. But when stress becomes long-term, it can affect your health, relationships, work and sense of self.

Counselling can give you space to stop, think and understand what has been building up.

You do not have to wait until breaking point

Therapy is not only for crisis. If something feels heavy, confusing or difficult to manage, that is enough reason to talk.

Why people still put therapy off

BACP’s survey found that the two biggest barriers for people who thought about therapy but did not go were cost and waiting lists.

35% said cost stopped them.

22% said waiting lists were a barrier.

Those concerns are understandable.

Private counselling is a commitment, but it can also offer quicker access, choice and consistency. I do not currently have a long waiting list, and I can usually respond quickly to enquiries.

That means you do not have to wait months before speaking to someone.

Why men may need a different kind of conversation

The survey also found that 29% of men still see therapy as self-indulgent.

That matters.

Many men grow up believing they should cope, stay strong, fix problems and keep feelings private. Therapy can feel like something for other people, or something you only consider when life has completely fallen apart.

But counselling is not about sitting in a room and being told to “talk about your feelings” without purpose.

It is about understanding what is happening, what is getting in the way, and what may help you move forward.

That might mean dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, burnout, relationship difficulties, male infertility, sexuality, or a general sense that life feels hard to manage.

What therapy can help you do

Counselling gives you space to talk honestly, without judgement.

It can help you:

Understand why you feel stuck

Make sense of stress, anxiety or low mood

Talk through grief, loss or life changes

Recognise patterns in relationships

Explore anger, pressure or emotional distance

Find a steadier way to cope

Feel less alone with what you are carrying

You do not need to arrive with everything worked out. We can start with what feels most important today.

Private room or walk-and-talk counselling

Therapy does not have to look one way.

Some people prefer the privacy and stillness of a therapy room. Others find it easier to talk while walking side by side outdoors.

I offer both options.

Room-based counselling takes place at The Grosvenor, Basing View, Basingstoke. Walk-and-talk counselling is available around Basingstoke, Alton and North Hampshire.

Neither option is better. It is about choosing the setting that feels right for you.

Taking the first step

If you have been thinking about therapy, that may be enough reason to have a conversation.

You do not need to be in crisis. You do not need to know exactly what to say. You do not need to wait until things get worse.

I offer a free 20-minute discovery call. There is no pressure and no commitment. It is simply a chance to ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide whether counselling feels right for you.

Sessions are £55 and last 50 minutes.

Book your free discovery call

Source note

Figures referenced from the BACP 2026 Public Perceptions Survey.