How to Choose a Therapist?

It is often a tiresome process to find a therapist in accordance with the needs of the client. It is crucial to find a therapist with whom clients can feel comfortable with. Searching hundreds of therapists online, it becomes tough for a common man to decide on someone just on the basis of summary and reviews of therapists.

This article discusses some of the ways by which the process of finding the right therapist who fits best for you will become easy.

1. Always look for credentials

Therapists often have many initials and it becomes tough to decode their meaning. Before deciding on a therapist, it is important to be aware of different education qualifications, their relevance in clinical settings and the license of the therapist. In India, a person can become a counsellor with a Master’s in psychology from a reputed university. To become a licensed clinical psychologist, a person has to complete an MPhil in clinical psychology from RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) approved institutes.

Apart from this, you may find therapists who are experts in one particular field. For instance family and marriage counsellors, school counsellors, child specialists or organizational psychologists. Check the bio as well as the experience of the therapist in treating issues similar to yours.

2. Good match

During initial sessions with the therapist, the clinician gets a good summary whether thinking of whether the client and therapist are in alignment or not. While deciding on a therapist, you may hear reviews like “My therapist changed my life. You should also visit him/her to solve your issues” But will that therapist really be able to solve your issues? If you are not comfortable with your therapist, you might not be able to discuss your issues, and your innermost thoughts and might feel that you are being judged. This will hinder the therapeutic process of bringing positive change in your life. The most important thing to keep in mind is to ask questions and doubts if you have to a clinician and don’t hesitate. Furthermore, you are not bound to come back again after your first visit.

3. Look for your preferences

You might want to check some of the factors that might influence your alliance with a therapist. Some of the factors are-
Age: Are you comfortable working with someone who is older or younger?
Gender: Are you willing to have a therapeutic alliance irrespective of gender?
Religion: do you feel therapists of a certain religion might hinder your therapy process?

Always keep in mind some of these aspects before going to any therapeutic session. Some clients might not want to have sessions with young therapists or some might be comfortable only with female therapists.

Also Read: 5 Myths about seeking mental health professional help

4. Check the cost and other factors

A therapy session comes with a price range and it is important that the cost should match the budget of the client. There are many NGOs that charge nominal fees from students or low-wage individuals. Always talk about the cost per session from the therapist. Other factors to keep in mind are
Timing: whether a therapist is available when the client is free or not.
Location: is the therapist located near the client’s house? The commute is easier if the therapist is situated near the client’s house or workplace.

What to do if you are unhappy?

When you feel like you are not comfortable with your therapist after your first session, you can always change your therapist. However if you are working with your therapist for a long time and feel like your thoughts are not aligned with the therapist, you can have a talk with your therapist regarding this. You might feel awkward or hesitant but therapists are aware that this kind of situation can arise during a therapeutic session. This will also help you to get clear of your preferences. But there are times when you feel like not talking to a therapist or want to refer to another therapist, you can change your therapist.

Conclusion

Choosing the right therapist is totally a personal decision and should not be affected by second-person choice or preference. The job of a therapist is to bring a positive impact in your life and guide you in overcoming problems in your personal as well as professional life. It might take a bit of your effort and time to decide on an appropriate therapist, as it is said right things take time just like the right therapist does exist for you!