Remember the last time you had an out-of-this-world meal at a new restaurant? You probably couldn’t stop raving about it to everyone you met.
If you had some deliciously succulent steak you probably went into great detail about just how juicy and flavorful it was. Your review of the restaurant is the stamp of approval they needed to try it out.
What about therapy? What recommended ways are there on how to find a good therapist?
When’s the last time someone you knew came raving about a great new therapist they started seeing? Probably never right?
Therapy is one of those things people hardly ever go around blabbing to everyone. It’s a deeply personal thing that most people prefer to keep private.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at how to pick a therapist who’s right for you. Read on.
How to Find a Good Therapist: Different Types of Therapy Services Available
Before you Google “therapy near me” you need to think about how to find a therapist who’ll help you work through your issues. Therapy isn’t what it was a few decades ago.
There are two therapy options available to you today. The mode of delivery you choose depends entirely on your personal preference. Some of your options include:
Traditional Therapy
This is therapy as you know it. You physically meet up with a licensed professional for a one-on-one session with them in a private room. Some therapists remain relatively quiet throughout the session and let you do most of the talking.
Others, on the other hand, take a more guided approach to steer the session. You should go with the method that sounds most appealing to you.
Online Therapy
The digital age has brought with it innovation that makes finding a therapist easier and more convenient. It’s similar to traditional therapy. The only difference is proximity.
The session occurs through a video call making it both discrete and convenient. You may not be in the same room as your therapist, but everything else about the session is exactly the same. Worrying about bumping into your friends on the way to a therapist’s office is no longer an obstacle to getting the professional guidance you need.
How to Find the Right Therapist: Why It Matters
Great for your overall wellbeing. Do you have a healthy coping mechanism for stress?
What do you do when life throws you a curve ball? How do you recover?
In today’s fast-paced world, people hardly have the time to process emotions in a healthy way. More often than not, we shove those emotions that we don’t want to deal with to the deepest darkest corner of our psyche.
That, however, doesn’t resolve the underlying issue. Eventually, it’ll all boil over if we don’t verbalize our feelings.
Not only does therapy allow you to open up to someone without fear of judgment, but research shows that talking about your issues with someone actually has a therapeutic effect on the brain. What’s more, speaking to a professional is a lot more effective since they are well-equipped to guide you through the trials and tribulations you might be going through.
What to Look for in a Therapist: 6 Tips on How to Find the Right One
If you’re wondering how to choose a therapist who’s right for you, you’ve come to the right place. First, you should identify the kind of therapist you need. There are generally four types of therapists:
- Psychologists
- Licensed counselors
- Social Workers
- Family and marriage therapists
Before settling on a therapist it’s important to first assess their suitability for you. Here’s how you choose:
1. Look for Recommendations
This should be your first consideration when it comes to choosing a therapist. If you get a recommendation from someone you trust it’s most likely because they know you and the therapist in question. There’s no guarantee that you’ll mesh, but it’s a great starting point.
2. Do a Background Check
Therapists vary widely in their certifications. For instance, some might have a Ph.D. while others may have specialized training credentials, like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy). While the lack of a degree is not necessarily a deal-breaker, you want to go with someone who has some level of clinical experience.
3. Test out the Waters
Once you’ve identified someone who’s a potential match, speak with the therapist to get a feel for them. If after a couple of appointments, you still don’t feel a connection, it might be time to explore another therapist and see how it works out. Most therapists offer a free consultation before committing to see them weekly.
4. Use Your Own Good Judgement to Assess Their Suitability
Choosing a good therapist is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make in your life and for your life. While it might sound corny to tell you to listen to your inner voice, your intuition also plays an important part in the process.
Use good interpersonal judgment to find the right therapist. It’s not so much about finding one therapist.
5. Find out the Treatment Regime They Intend to Use
Therapists are usually trained in different treatment techniques. It’s always best to find out what those methods are, and which one your therapist intends to use on you.
If their style resonates with you, then you can give them a chance. You can check out the service from Blue Sprig Autism to see the intervention they apply.
6. Look out for Red Flags
If you notice that your therapist is constantly watching the clock, guilt-trips you when you’re thinking of changing them or blackmails you by telling you that you’ll fall into depression if you stopped seeing them, you need to ditch them ASAP. Also, if they violate your confidentiality in any way, launch a formal complaint against them to the appropriate professional body and then, drop them like a bad habit.
The Bottom Line on Therapists
Sometimes, we lack the emotional support we need from those closest to us. If you don’t have a safe space where you can talk about your worries and fears, therapy is a great option for you. So, if you were wondering how to find a good therapist, use the tips provided in this guide and pave the way.
Meanwhile, are you prepared to deal with injuries if and when they happen? Read about these that should be in your first aid kit just in case.
