FAQ
Do I really need therapy?
If you're asking, it's probably worth trying therapy.
Because therapy isn't just helpful for handling crises or clinical issues (although of course it's helpful in those instances too).
Whether you're feeling stuck, stressed, or simply want to understand yourself better, a therapist can help. No issue is ever "too small" to work through.
How does the matching work?
You start with a short matching conversation with Ally, our AI matching agent. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Our team then reviews everything you've shared and searches our network for the best-fit therapist. We look at therapeutic style, experience, personality, practical fit, and what you've told us matters most to you.
We send you one personalised therapist profile with an explanation of why we think they're a strong match. If it doesn't feel right, we search again.
How can you offer this service for free?
Our matching service is 100% free for you.
We charge a matching fee to the therapist, not to the client. This fee is significantly lower than what most large online platforms or private clinic groups charge, which means we work with experienced, high-quality therapists who would not join services that take a large cut of every session.
How long until I get matched?
For therapists within our network, we usually send your match within a few hours and always within 24 hours.
If we search outside our network to find you the right person, it can take up to 48 hours. Either way, we keep you updated throughout.
What types of therapy do you offer?
All of them.
If you already have a therapeutic style or approach in mind that you'd like to try, we can find a therapist with the relevant training. Otherwise, we'll explore options with you to help find the best therapy for your situation.
Where do you currently operate?
We currently offer in-person therapy in Oxfordshire and Bristol, as well as online therapy to clients across the UK.
We are expanding to new cities across the UK.
What if the match doesn't feel right?
Just tell us what wasn't quite right and we'll search again. Rematching is always free, with no limit.
Because we already have a detailed picture of what you're looking for, a rematch is usually faster and more targeted than the first time.
Am I talking to a real person or AI?
Ally, our matching agent, is AI-powered, and we're upfront about that.
Ally is designed to understand what you need from therapy through a natural conversation. After your conversation, a real person on our team reviews everything and makes the final matching decision.
The AI helps us listen carefully. The humans do the matching.
Is my conversation confidential?
Yes. Your conversation is protected under UK GDPR.
Our matching team sees a summary of what you've shared so they can find the right therapist, but they do not see the full transcript. We never share your personal details with a therapist without anonymising them first.
How many therapists do you work with?
Our matching process means that we can work with any qualified therapist who is set up to practise with private clients.
We maintain a network of therapists based throughout the UK, trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches.
If we think there is a better match for you outside our network, we will approach them to discuss your case (with all personal data anonymised) and see if they are available to take on new clients.
Once I meet a therapist, do I have to do therapy with them?
Not at all. There is never an obligation to start or continue with therapy through Aligned, or any other service.
The most important factor in therapeutic success is finding the right client-therapist match for you.
If the match doesn't feel right at any point, we'd encourage you to try another therapist.
I've had a bad experience with therapy before.
That's more common than you might think, and it usually comes down to the wrong therapist or the wrong type of therapy, not some fundamental thing about you.
There are many different approaches and styles, and finding the right fit makes an enormous difference. That's exactly what our matching process is designed to do.
How do I know my therapist is qualified?
Every therapist we work with is registered with a recognised UK professional body such as the BACP, UKCP, or BABCP.
Registration means they have completed approved training, carry professional indemnity insurance, receive ongoing clinical supervision, and are bound by a code of ethics.
We do not work with trainee therapists.
Why is the match between client and therapist so important?
Research has consistently shown that the ‘therapeutic alliance’, the level of trust and connection between you and your therapist, is the most important factor in determining whether therapy is successful.
When you feel safe, heard, and understood, you're more likely to open up and remain engaged. This is what allows you to make the most progress.
That is why we invest time in understanding what sort of therapist you're likely to connect with, rather than simply matching you to whoever is available.