Choosing to find a new therapist is not as uncommon as you might think. About 16% of Gen X and 21% of Millennials are engaging in therapy currently. It may be challenging at times finding the right therapist, but following a few simple tips can help make it easier for you. Here are three tips to follow when searching for a therapist.
1. Research different therapists
It’s important to research the therapists you’re considering before deciding to schedule a therapy session. Decide on some factors that will help you narrow down the options you have. Some of the factors that might be important to you may include the amount of the fee, the gender of the therapist, or the distance the office is to you. The professional background is necessary to know too. Whether you’re looking for a clinical social worker, a counselor or a psychiatrist, narrow your list of therapists based on the professional background that you feel will best suit your needs. Knowing all of this information will make it easier for you to decide which therapist to schedule a therapy appointment with.
2. Interview the therapists
Most therapists usually expect potential clients to ask them questions before moving forward with follow-up appointments. If a therapist comes across defensive regarding questions about their training and education, it’s best to avoid them. Some of the questions you can ask include if they’re licensed, what their specialty is, and if they have experience working with people who are dealing with the same problems as you are. Additionally, you can ask them about the types of treatments they offer and the effectiveness of those treatments on their clients. It’s necessary to ask any question that’s important to you in order find a new therapist that you can work with.
3. Determine if there’s rapport
Once you have started sessions with a therapist you’ve chosen, it’s essential that you feel you can establish a rapport with them. Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll be discussing uncomfortable and intimate details with them. In those times when you’ll feel vulnerable, you’ll want to feel you have a rapport with your therapist. In other words, you’ll want to sense that they understand you and that there’s a good working alliance in sorting through your problems. When there’s a rapport between a client and therapist, there’s more likely to be agreement on the goals of the therapy and how they can be reached, which can make treatment more likely to be successful.
It can be a long process sometimes to find a new therapist. Despite that, once you’ve found one who you feel good about, you can start the path of resolving the problems you’re seeking therapy for. Be sure to keep these tips in mind as you start your pursuit of a therapist.
