Finding a therapist who is a good match for you is sort of like dating. To find “The One”, you need to think about what you are searching for, explore potential matches, and find someone who gets you. There are several ways to narrow down your search to more quickly find the therapist that works for you. As a licensed psychologist, here are some suggestions from both my personal and professional experiences with therapy.
Determine the type of professional you need – If you are suffering from common mental health conditions, such as grief, struggling with life transitions, anxiety, and depression, it is best to look for a social worker, professional counselor, or clinical psychologist. These types of conditions may or may not require treatment by a medical professional (e.g. primary care physician or psychiatrist). People suffering from more severe mental health conditions, such as Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Personality Disorder may benefit from seeing a medical professional as well as a clinical psychologist who specializes in these areas. Psychiatrists typically prescribe medication to manage symptoms while psychologists focus on processing and managing symptoms through therapy. Research has shown that for common mental health conditions, medication may provide short-term relief and help boost participation in therapy, but psychotherapy typically results in better long-term outcomes for patients.
Shop Around – When making a big purchase or investing, most people do not just put their money on the first thing they come across. The same is true for making an investment in yourself for therapy! Before you decide on a therapist, check out their website, Psychology Today profile, or online reviews to get more information! Some therapists even offer a free initial consultation with potential clients so you can talk with the therapist and get a better idea if it is the right fit for you. In my professional experience, I appreciate when potential clients call to determine if we are a good fit for one another as this tends to result in better therapeutic outcomes.
There are also some very practical considerations that contribute to finding the right therapist, such as cost, insurance benefits, location, hours, time commitments, and the therapist’s approach to sessions. The factors can often impact your therapeutic relationship even if you feel connected to the therapist. Let’s be honest, if you love your therapist but can’t afford the time or financial resources to attend therapy, it likely isn’t the best fit!
Look for Chemistry – It is imperative for you to feel a strong therapeutic alliance with your therapist. A good therapeutic reliance often results in you feeling comfortable enough to share some of the most intimate details of your life without feeling judged. From my own personal experience with therapy, I felt comfortable sharing thoughts and feelings I had never said aloud before because I felt safe and knew my therapist understood what I was going through. If you do not feel it is a good fit, it is best to move on to another therapist!
Discuss a timeline – Most of us are going to therapy because we are experiencing some type of distress and would like to see an improvement in our symptoms. Talk with potential therapy about how soon you can expect to notice a decrease in your symptoms after starting therapy as well as when may you can expect to end therapy services. In most cases, you should start to see some relief within one to three sessions if both you and the therapist are active participants in the process. The timeline for completing services is often dependent on your own personal goals so it is also important for you to be active in working towards these goals.
For more information about services at Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants, LLC, please visit our website at www.gbhconsultants.com. Contact us to schedule a free phone consultation to discuss your personal and determine if our services and providers are a good fit for you!
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