It is understandable that you may be wary of visiting a counsellor or psychotherapist and it is therefore advisable to choose one who is a member of a professional body. There are various professional bodies (also known as member organisations) that take on the role of regulating counselling/psychotherapy services. While counsellors and psychotherapists are under no legal obligation to become a member of a professional body, membership will mean they meet certain requirements and abide by a code of ethics and complaints procedure.
I am a full member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and work according to their principles and ethics. This includes holding appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
I am also a member of the British Psychological Society.