How To Pick A Therapist That Is Right For You

We live in a time where access to mental health practitioners is more accessible than ever before. It is a true milestone and a huge step in the right direction for society as we know it. The average individual no longer has to silently suffer with whatever they have been dealing with.

Often these are issues that they have been dealing with since childhood. However, one major issue with easy access to therapists is narrowing down a counselor.

Picking a therapist is slightly more complicated than starting with one. It’s important to take your time and find a therapist nyc (or elsewhere more relevant) to whom you can relate most holistically. Remember, this is someone you will be working with for long-term goals, so you should find someone you are comfortable with.

This article will discuss how you can pick out the best therapist for yourself. Much like the informal experience of doctor shopping, shopping for a therapist is a phase of life that we don’t suggest you skip. Here are some factors you should consider before choosing your mental health counselor.

1. Consider their Qualifications

One of the most important aspects of finding a therapist is looking at their education. Clinicians cannot practice without a master’s or Psy D. degree, so ensure the person you are visiting has one. Practicing with a bachelor’s degree is not only unethical, but it’s also illegal in most states. Some states require you to gain certification by taking an exam, while others require a master’s. But with access to advanced programs like a counseling psychology masters online, the pool of available therapists is growing to meet the demand for clinical services adequately.

For all potential clients, it would be wise to read up on your prospective therapist and gauge what credentials they have. If they don’t check all the boxes, you may want to consider other options.

2. Consider the fees

You need to acknowledge that this is an experience that is probably going to cost you a fair bit of money in the future. Therefore, the per-session fee needs to be something you can manage, especially if you are visiting 1-2 times a week. It may seem manageable at first, but once you start going regularly, the bills can catch up with you.

One of the worst things you can do is suddenly stop when you start progressing. Please don’t start if you can’t see the process through. Some therapists charge less if you take online sessions with them.

Therefore, consider taking a few sessions in person and some online, depending on your convenience. Of course, you will need background research for therapists in the market to go with the ones that suit your pocket the best. But it is best not to start if you are only going to stop; it could do more harm than not starting.

3. Proximity

Much like the gym, finding a therapist close to work or home would be best. If you travel great distances and go out of the way to meet your counselor, there is a fair chance that you will start looking for excuses to skip out on sessions. After a long day, the last thing you want to do is stress yourself out by driving long distances and getting caught in traffic.

Try and find a therapist as close to you as possible. Moreover, suppose you find someone far away. In that case, you may want to consider the option of remote sessions rather than visiting every time. Other than that, fuel prices will take their toll on you. Therefore, try to find a counselor as close as possible to save time, money, and hassle.

4. Do your values align?

Now that you have found someone who checks all the prerequisites let’s say you start your first session. In the first few sessions, you will begin to develop a general idea of what the therapist is like and if they understand you, and if you understand them. Being on the same wavelength is one of the essential parts of going to therapy.

Even if you and your therapist try to power through your differences, one of you will grow detached from the other. The right thing to do would be for your therapist to state their grievances and respectfully offer you a recommendation for another professional.

Ethically this is the right thing to do, and for the most part, most therapists do this. In addition, most therapists generally follow a set of standards and norms.

5. Do you feel heard?

Therapists must validate your feelings and give you a place to feel comfortable and secure. You need to feel like you can speak your mind without feeling an ounce of judgment from the professional.

Moreover, you also need to feel like your therapist understands the issue. If you go on and on about how you feel and do not get constructive feedback to help comprehend and work on your behavioral pattenrs, it might be better to look elsewhere.

Conclusion

Picking a therapist is easier said than done. Since you must set long-term goals with this person, it would be best if you took time and found the right person to align yourself with. This is indeed like every other relationship in your life. You and this other person will invest time and emotions into the process and aim for eventual psychological relief.

The tips we mentioned above could go a long way in helping you find the right person. If not all, consider some of the factors mentioned in this article if you feel the need to seek therapy. Remembering good mental health is critical to a healthy life, and you should stick to the process, no matter how long it takes.

Therapy isn’t just for the psychologically distressed anymore. Even though they make up the majority of clientele, some people go to become better versions of themselves and clear their heads. Whatever your reason, we hope you find what you are looking for.