%20(3)_edited.png)
Choosing to start therapy is already a difficult and personal matter for many, but it can also be an overwhelming endeavour.
The bond between yourself and your therapist is vital and can impact your well-being and direction of growth. Having someone who can listen to your challenges as a third party and help guide you through life while offering tools and skills to cope with your particular situation can be imperative, therefore taking your time to look for the right person to take on this role is encouraged.
Although there are many great therapists, you need to find one that fits your personality and needs.
Here are some tips for finding the right therapist to help you reach your therapeutic goals:
1. What type of therapy are you interested in?
To narrow down some of the potential candidates, you need to know the type of therapy you may want to try. There may be different therapeutic approaches that will be helpful depending on the concerns that led you to want to start therapy. Not all therapists may provide treatment for your age range or offer the services you need but some may be well-versed in many different types of therapy. To discover this information, go to their website and see what evidence-based treatments they specialize in or book a 15-minute consultation with them and ask what services they have that could help you.
To do this, you also need to figure out your therapy goals. Even if you aren’t sure exactly what you want, ask yourself what you want to get out of these potential therapy sessions as a good first step.
Consider these questions:
Are you looking for tools to help with stress and anxiety?
Are you looking for insight into your behaviours?
Are there problems in your relationships that you don't know how to navigate?
2. Book a 15-minute consultation, and have some questions prepared for the therapist
Once you find a therapist that you feel may be the right fit for you, book a 15-minute consultation with them to get a feel of who they are and how they operate within sessions. To do this, prepare questions you want them to answer and don't be afraid to ask hard-hitting ones, this is for your well-being, therefore you want to find the best person for you. Some questions you may want to ask include:
How long have you been practicing in the field?
What does success look like to you?
What services do you specialize in?
What does a typical session look like? How long are they? How often do they happen?
How do you set goals for your clients?
How would you address my specific concerns?
If/ when was the last time you worked with someone similar to me?
Don't feel as though you must force yourself to be with a therapist who may not be the best match. Find the person you feel is right for you. This may take some effort, but it will be worth it in the end once you find that someone you feel the most comfortable with.
3. Find the right fit for you
Trust is the utmost important aspect of the therapeutic relationship and a lack of it can hinder your progress and can affect the success of the therapy. When speaking to your therapist you want to feel relaxed and able to open up. This might take a few sessions as you build confidence and trust. Clients need to feel understood by their therapist and this may be achieved by hiring someone who is of a particular gender/race/sexual orientation. You may want to search for a therapist that fits with your personality but also one that understands your culture and values.
Reach out to Stark Wellness Clinic and we will guide you step by step and will eliminate some of the common stressors associated with finding the right therapist. We can help you find a therapist that can change your life!
Until next time,
Rotem Stark, Mpsy, RP, Stark Wellness Clinic
Comments