Some people like going to therapy for the first time to going on a blind date. In fact, opening yourself up and talking about your fears and shortcomings to a complete stranger can be a terrifying experience for many, particularly those who have no idea what therapy entails.
With the right therapist however, therapy can be both a relieving and an enlightening experience. Picking the right therapist can be a challenging task and sometimes, choosing the wrong one can leave you feeling disheartened and inclined to give up therapy altogether.
So when selecting a therapist, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. The psychologist and you will work together to achieve your own goals.
Most psychologists agree that a good rapport between you and the therapist is integral for therapy to be successful. When you find the right therapist for you, you will know. A therapist should ideally make you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts and feelings with them.
2. Verifying your therapist’s qualifications is always a good idea
Just as you would for a doctor, a psychologist’s credentials and expertise need to also be verified before selecting one. You might also want check whether the therapist has training or experience in the particular area in which you are having trouble.
3. Doing a bit of research never hurts!
Most people are surprised to find out that there are hundreds of different types of therapies. While a detailed knowledge of all the forms of therapy is not required, a brief understanding of the commonly used approaches could help find the right therapist for you. For example, a client preferring a more directive approach may choose a therapist specialising in Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy as compared to a client who wants a less restrictive approach who may opt for a therapist trained in client-centred therapy.
For some, the therapist’s hourly fees are also an important criterion to consider before deciding on a particular therapist.
4. Testimonials can be a great aid to you in your search
Checking testimonials of the counsellor or the counselling centre you are going to is always a good idea. Most people agree that a good counsellor is not often all-knowing, but one who can admit their own mistakes. They also seek help from counsellors for their own problems and will refer you to another therapist if your problem is outside the range of their expertise.
5. Have a brief conversation with your potential counsellor
Before scheduling an appointment, you may want to reach out and ask to chat with the counsellor on the phone or send some questions via email. Here, you could get any clarifications regarding the therapist’s training, expertise, education, experience, style, fees, cancellation policies, success-rate and other office policies. From these conversations you could assess whether the therapist is a good listener and see if it would be possible to build a rapport with them. You should also feel free to ask the therapist any questions that may be important to you during the course of therapy. The right therapist is likely to be one that makes you feel comfortable being yourself around them.
6. Therapy often takes some time to show effects
You may not be sure you’ve made the right decision until a few weeks of therapy when you start to feel the effects of therapy. Signs that the therapy isn’t heading in the right direction could be that the therapist interrupts you often, talks more than you or violates your confidentiality. A professional, competent therapist won’t judge you, push you do things you don’t feel good about, or force a specific agenda on you. Signs that therapy is helping would include a sense of hopefulness, control over your life and a recovery of adequacy.
Sometimes, due to changes during the course of therapy, you may need to switch therapists and build a comfort level with a new therapist, which may be a discomitting experience. Vast array of qualifications and expertise don’t always mean everything in therapy. A therapist who you are comfortable talking to and who truly listens to and understands you will make therapy a safe space where you can be yourself and grow as a person.
Authorship: Farah Maneckshaw