Finding the best therapist for you is the most important part of maximizing your successful with psychotherapy. However, as many people who have experience looking for a therapist can attest, finding a provider who is just the right “fit” can be very challenging. Here, we outline some strategies to help you find the therapist that is right for you.
Strategies for Finding the “Best Therapist” for you
1) Evaluate your needs and goals for psychotherapy
Who will be in therapy?
Therapy and counseling services can be provided to individuals, couples, families, or groups. Therapists often also specialize in providing care to clients within certain age ranges (e.g. children or adults). When searching for the “best fit,” it is important that you are clear about who will be engaged in treatment, as not all providers are trained to serve all these different types of clients.
What symptoms are you experiencing?
Because treatment modalities vary by symptoms and diagnoses, being able to broadly describe your symptoms and concerns can be extremely helpful in finding a therapist who is the “best fit” for you. This can help ensure that you are matched with a therapist who has experience working with clients like you; and you can be confident in their ability to help you meet your goals for psychotherapy.
What kind of treatment are you seeking?
There are many ways in which therapists treat mental health concerns, and many types of talk therapy. While it can be challenging to understand all the differences in treatment options, it can be helpful to consider what approach might work best for you (e.g. short or long-term therapy, focus on the “here and now” or preferences to understand how past experiences influence how you feel today, etc.).
What resources do you have available?
When seeking therapy, you will need to consider the amount of time you have to dedicate to therapy (e.g. time constraints, finances, face to face or online working and practicing new skills in between sessions)...
2) Evaluate potential therapists.
What is the therapist’s area of expertise?
Counselling and psychotherapy is a very diverse field of study, which means that most therapists specialize in some area of clinical service. When evaluating a therapists expertise, it is important to consider their level of expereince or type of training, their defined client focus, and the treatment modalities they offer. A therapist who specializes in working with people who are like you, are more likely to be able to provide services that will meet your specific needs and goals.
How and when will you access care?
You should be able to access therapy with relative ease, as you will likely be attending sessions regularly, especially at the beginning of treatment. It is also important to understand your therapists availability to take on new clients, any flexibility they may have in their scheduling, and, when applicable, estimated waitlist times.
3) Choosing the “best therapist” for you.
Which profile or website do you connect with most?
For most people, first impressions of potential providers tend to be online. As you look for a therapist, I suggest that you read through their various online materials and visit their websites to get a better sense of who they are and what they do. It is important to be mindful of their expertise and how they fit your needs and goals for therapy. Once you have narrowed down your search, it is common to call several therapists or practices for an initial consultation before you ultimately make your choice. Likewise it can often help to speak to a directory or service provider who will listen to your needs and be able to place you with the most appropriate therapist for you, enabling you to feel confident with your match, when we don’t always know who will work best with/for us?
Booking an initial consultation to evaluate fit.
The initial consultation can be a great way to evaluate fit, as it allows you to assess what it would be like to work with this therapist. You can assess the timeliness of their response, their communication style, and ask more questions about their expertise and approach to psychotherapy. Once you know your provider has the right qualifications, skills set or experience for you, it is important to assess if it feels as though you can build a trusting therapeutic relationship with the provider. Again, working with a directory or service provider can alleviate any concerns you may have about making the right choice.
By following the steps above, you will likely be well on your way to finding the “best therapist” for you. It may seem like a lot of work at first, but taking your time in choosing the right provider for you can make all the difference in determining your success in finding relief and support through counselling or psychotherapy
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