Are you interested in getting therapy? Welcome to your first step — find out the right therapist for you.
Finding an effective therapist may be difficult for many individuals. There’s possibly a lack of therapists in your region, or you don’t feel connected with the ones you meet.
However, choosing the proper therapist is essential because they can help you build the skills and confidence you need to manage your mental health issues for the rest of your life.
Finding a good therapist to assist you with your emotions and thoughts is difficult. Inherently private is the issue with which you seek assistance. And there is a wide variety of mental health professionals from whom to choose.
According to research, the bond between a patient and their therapist is crucial. A meta-analysis of 295 trials involving over 30,000 patients found that patients benefited best from treatment when they had a high feeling of connection, relatability, and desire to contribute.
Based on this and other findings, a 2019 APA task force stated that various aspects of the client-therapist relationship (such as agreeing on therapeutic objectives, receiving client feedback during treatment, and resolving ruptures) are just as essential as obtaining the right sort of therapy.
Here are four simple steps to help you choose the right therapist.
Get referrals.
An excellent place to start is by asking someone you trust, like your doctor or a family member. A 2018 survey of 1,021 Americans from all over the country found that 39 percent of people who went to therapy got a recommendation from their primary care doctor, and 19 percent got a recommendation from a friend.
Use credible online sources.
Several groups focused on mental health provide up-to-date, location-searchable lists of certified counselors. You may use these tools to find a therapist near you by entering your ZIP code, city, or state and then narrowing down your results based on other criteria. Whether you prefer a male or female therapist, check if they provide telemedicine or whether they do in-person therapy.
Check their credentials.
The American Psychological Association recommends that anybody hoping to become a therapist first ensure they are appropriately licensed to do so in their region. It’s important to remember, however, that a therapist’s credentials in the treatment field you’re seeking are more important than their specific designation. Counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychotherapists are among the professionals you might see for treatment.
Check their cultural competence.
Even though every therapist learns empathy and compassion through their training, it might help to choose one from your community or who has experience dealing with individuals like you. You may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues with a therapist who is also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or who makes it clear from the start that they welcome and accept all members of the community.
Conclusion
Patients need to know that there’s no “one size fits all” approach to treatment. Though it may take some time, choosing the right therapist for you is well worth it. An investment in therapy may be necessary for your emotional well-being.