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If you are battling with issues and considering therapy either to restore relationships, recover from a traumatic past, or battle low self-esteem or identity issues, that need a clinical intervention, what is the first step?
To recognize and acknowledge that there is a problem. Finding the right therapist is next. A certified mental health expert who can make you feel comfortable about uncomfortable topics. Someone who will listen to you and help you open up.
Healing is a process that needs timely and expert intervention and a cooperative relationship between the client and their therapist. Call it a boon but finding a therapist for yourself today is as simple as snapping your finger. Quite literally, at the click of a button, you are inundated with an online directory listing hundreds of therapists. How simple, one must wonder!
How to find the right therapist for yourself?
Research suggests that the relationship between you and your therapist will have a lasting and significant impact on your growth. The question is – Can you pick up your therapist who is going to work with you on improving your mental health based on a short bio and a picture? Or if you choose to video-chat with a couple of them before finalizing on one, how do you assure yourself that they are the right fit? Well, it begins by ticking the right boxes defined by your needs.
In this article, we share tips for you to find the right therapist:
1. Learn about the different therapies and what you need
When getting started on therapy, it is important to learn more about the types of therapies. Different therapists work on different types of therapy. Once you learn about them, it will help you choose the one that aligns with your goal.
The different types of therapy include:
· Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
· Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
· Dialectical Behavior Therapy
· Psychoanalytic Therapy
2. Recommendations from people you trust
One way to evaluate whether they are a good fit is to think about who in your immediate social circle, can you reach out to. Either friends, family, siblings or close colleagues who you think will understand what you are undergoing, can refer you to mental health experts, either from their personal experiences or from their network.
When you know what kind of therapist you want and have narrowed down your choice of experts, you may need feedback about them. But keep in mind that your therapist must follow your agenda, what you want out of the sessions you subscribe to, and the tools that you want them to follow. That will help your search mechanism better.
3. Reliable online therapist directories
Check for online directories that are widely followed and recommended exploring the kind of therapist that you want. Look at their credentials, patient recommendations, and other licenses required to practice therapy.
Several directories update and maintain their listings. They are your first starting point to access licensed and accredited therapists that you can work with local or online. This will also help you to decide if you want in-person therapy sessions or virtual therapy.
4. Mental Health Institutions that work on your concern
When you look for clinical specialists working on your issue, it is a good place to start. They will recognize your goals and needs from therapy and recommend the right fit for you.
In case you are looking for a therapist in your local area, narrow your search by adding your zip code and you will be connected to a network of mental health professionals in and around your area, working on your issues.
5. Trust your instincts
Once you have narrowed your list, it is time to interact with them before finalizing one. From here, trust your instincts beyond the credentials of the mental health expert. If they do not make you feel comfortable and nice around them,
6. Online therapy platforms
Several online websites offer certified counselors, psychologists, and therapists over video call sessions. Find the trusted platforms from patient recommendations or tap into your network. They may ask you to provide basic information about what issues you would like to address in therapy such as depression, trauma, anxiety, substance abuse, or other parental issues. Explore these websites and apps for the kind of therapy you want.
7. List of things you need to know about your therapist
While finalizing your therapist, make sure you gather the following information about them.
· Years of experience in therapy?
· How much experience do they have in dealing with issues that you would like to address?
· Do they have experience in using effective techniques and tools to resolve your issue?
· Learn more about their approach
· Testimonials of patients or available recommendations
8. Figure out your budget
Therapy can have different costs, depending on the experience and credibility of a therapist. Online therapy is a relatively lower-cost option. Before getting started on therapy, do a quick check on individual session costs vis-à-vis online costs. That will help you decide how much you will be willing to pay for therapy per month and prioritize your booking accordingly.
9. Learn about different treatment orientation
Before getting started, learn about the various orientation models used to treat the kind of issues you want to resolve. Many therapists practice a blend of orientations to treat their patients. Knowing about these techniques will help you decide better if your therapist’s approach is effective for you.
10. What are the red flags?
A good therapist should have specialized expertise so they can address mental health issues well. Beware of Jack-of-all-trades but master of none!
Here are a few warning signals that a therapist is not the right fit for you:
· When therapists say they specialize in everything – A good therapist has specialized expertise that works effectively to treat a patient.
· Therapists say that they can totally cure you – Regardless of the mental health issue, progress sometimes can be challenging or slower than usual. Therapists claiming to cure it completely should be avoided since each patient responds to treatment differently.
· When therapists do not set boundaries – It is good to avoid therapists who ask you to meet them at informal places or try to get too friendly with you on the pretext of working with you better.
To protect your mental health, finding the right therapist is an important investment. Good therapy is like attaining inner peace, regaining self-esteem, finding confidence, and developing a more balanced approach toward life goals. A personal touch is the center of effective therapy. Take your time and find the right fit who you feel is empathetic and wants to help you. For those looking out for counselors, mental health experts, and therapists, get connected to certified psychologists and counselors at Therapy, the safest and most trusted counseling platform in India.