1. Clarify what you are looking for.

The first step is to think about the issue that you are trying to address. If you are considering therapy – whether to restore a relationship, recover from trauma, adjust to a new life phase, improve your mental health, or just talk with someone – finding the right therapist is the first hurdle to cross.

Even if you feel drawn to a certain type of therapy, having a good connection with your therapist is one of the most important things to establish. That means feeling listened to, understood, and respected. Successful therapy often requires deliberate trial and error. Think of it like having your car repaired. If you were not happy with you mechanic, then you would most likely look for a new one. The same applies for therapists and counsellors. It is a good idea to be open to changing them, if it does not feel right.

Researchers have found that the bond between you and your therapist is likely to have a big effect on your growth. That is why it is important to do your research, ask questions, and pay attention to your own responses when searching for the right therapist.

2. What therapeutic style is right for me?

If you are thinking of trying therapy, you might have already noticed the surprising amount of types available. Though some approaches work best for specific conditions, others can help with a range of issues.

In therapy, you will work with a trained mental health professional. What you will do in each appointment depends on the preferred methods of your therapist and the issues you are looking to address.

Understanding the different philosophies behind each type of therapy can help you figure out which approach is best for you, so ask the therapist what method they prefer to work with. The four main styles of therapy are:

a) Psychodynamic therapy developed from psychoanalysis, a long-tern approach to mental health treatment and often focuses on unconscious processes.

What it is good for: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, somatic symptoms, substance use disorders

b) Behavioural therapy is a focused, action-oriented approach to mental health treatment.

What it is good for: anxiety, phobias, substance use, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

c) Cognitive behavioural therapy or CBT is a short-term approach to mental health treatment. It is like behavioural therapy, but it also addresses unhelpful thought patterns or problematic thoughts.

CBT can also be very helpful for certain conditions when combined with medication.

What it is good for: Mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, anxiety and phobias, eating disorders, substance misuse

d) Humanistic therapy is an approach that looks at how your worldview affects the choices you make, especially choices that cause distress. It is based on the belief that you are the best person to understand your experiences and needs.

What it is good for: Self-esteem issues, difficulty coping with chronic health concerns, effects of trauma, relationship issues, feelings of worthlessness or being lost in life.

Along with the approaches mentioned above, another method that is been shown to help with trauma is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing). This is a technique designed to help people process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional distress. It helps the brain reprocess the memory and reduce its negative impact.

Therapy can sometimes feel challenging, regardless of the approach you choose. Initially, it is not uncommon to feel uncomfortable or nervous about discussing your symptoms and personal thoughts with a stranger, but you should soon build a rapport, and it often gets easier over time to provide very worthwhile support.

Talk to your doctor or a medical professional you trust – they often know reliable therapists or services they can recommend.

As we look toward the healthcare landscape of 2025, a profound shift is taking place. The old saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure has evolved from wise adage to essential strategy. The future of healthcare isn't just about treating illness—it's about preventing it altogether through smart, strategic investments that truly save lives.

The Personalised Prevention Revolution

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all health recommendations. Prevention in 2025 has become deeply personalised, with technology enabling health plans tailored to our unique genetic makeup, lifestyle patterns, and environmental exposures.

Imagine waking up to gentle reminders from your smart home about the perfect breakfast for your body's specific nutritional needs that day. Your wearable device has monitored your sleep patterns and stress levels, adjusting recommendations accordingly. This isn't science fiction—it's the emerging reality of preventive health.

What makes this approach revolutionary isn't just its personalisation, but its accessibility. Previously exclusive technologies are becoming mainstream, democratising preventive health across socioeconomic boundaries. The smartest investment isn't just in the technology itself, but in making sure everyone can benefit from it.

Community-Centred Prevention

While personal technology drives much of preventive health, community investments are proving equally powerful. From urban green spaces that improve air quality and mental wellbeing to community kitchens teaching practical nutrition, our surroundings play a crucial role in prevention.

The most forward-thinking local authorities are creating prevention hubs—spaces where health education, screening services, and social connection converge. These hubs serve as early warning systems, catching potential health issues before they develop into serious conditions.

Workplace wellness has transformed too, with employers recognising that investments in preventive health yield returns through increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. The office of 2025 includes everything from standing desks and meditation spaces to on-site health coaches and preventive screening services.

Mental Health: The Preventive Frontier

Perhaps nowhere is preventive investment more crucial than in mental health. Early intervention programmes in schools and workplaces identify stress, anxiety, and depression before they escalate. Digital therapeutics—apps and programmes designed to improve mental health—have evolved from simple meditation guides to sophisticated early intervention tools.

The integration of mental and physical health prevention represents one of the most important developments. Healthcare providers now understand that mental wellbeing directly impacts physical health outcomes, leading to truly holistic preventive approaches.

The Economic Case for Prevention

The most compelling aspect of preventive health in 2025 is that it makes economic sense. Healthcare systems worldwide have recognised that preventing chronic diseases costs far less than treating them. Insurance providers offer substantial incentives for preventive measures, from reduced premiums for regular health screenings to rewards for maintaining healthy habits.

These financial incentives aren't just for individuals. Communities that invest in preventive infrastructure—from clean water initiatives to air quality improvement—see significant returns through reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity.

The Human Impact

Beyond statistics and savings, the real value of preventive health investments lies in human terms—the heart attacks that never happen, the cancers caught at stage one rather than stage four, the mental health crises averted through early support.

As we move through 2025, the question isn't whether we can afford to invest in prevention, but whether we can afford not to. The smartest investment isn't just money—it's the commitment to a future where healthcare means maintaining wellness rather than just fighting illness.