People’s reluctance to seek/secure counselling/psychotherapy is an area requiring further attention. This study sought to add to existing research by undertaking phenomenological interviews exploring ex-clients experiences of seeking/securing help. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with five participants who had experience of the counselling process. Transcribed interviews were analysed using the constant-comparative method and five themes emerged: public stigma, self-stigma, the counselling/psychotherapeutic environment, privacy/confidentiality, and waiting time to secure counselling. Results indicated public/self-stigma had affected participant experience, as had the counselling environment. Privacy/confidentiality was a concern with waiting times being less so. Recommendations to reduce the negative impact of public/self-stigma and the counselling environment are offered, as are areas requiring further research including advertising, location of service, self-stigma and home counselling/psychotherapy
