My friends and acquaintances often ask me to advise them on finding a psychotherapist, and I understand that the topic of choosing a psychotherapist will always remain relevant for those who seek support and assistance.
If you really think that you need psychotherapy, it can be difficult to make a decision when looking for a specialist. Of course, you can the easiest thing and click on the first link in a Google search, or, as my friends do, ask someone competent to recommend someone to you. However, psychotherapy is a very intimate and personal process. What are the chances of Google being able to guess what kind of person will be able to get to the heart of the reasons for your failures and anxiety, and give you protection and confidence? If you ask your friends for help, they certainly do not know you as well as you know yourself. It’s up to you to make the choice. Certainly any advice in this matter will be useful, but it’s your decision whether or not to accept it.
So, how do you avoid getting lost in the huge amount of therapists, practices, trends, and centers? In fact, it is not necessary to know everything about the current trends and schools. It is enough to pay attention to the following specific features:
- Start with the person – because this private matter requires a personal approach. Visit the portal where psychologists publish their articles and notes, look through several records on the topics in which you are interested in, and listen to your instincts – which author could help you the most? Visit the personal blogs of therapists and look through their notes as well.
- Consider the place of therapy. Pay attention to the location where each professional works, and consider whether it will be convenient for you to get to their office. If you feel that you have found the person whom you have been looking for, but unfortunately, this person lives far away, do not get disappointed. Consider the possibility of Skype therapy sessions, and see if this psychologist offers this service.
- Find out the working specifics of the therapist. If you still have not decided on one option, I suggest you review the profiles of the therapists you are considering. Please pay attention to the method the therapist uses, and look for an in-depth description of this method. Skim the internet to see how much information is available, although you do not go deep into the details. Check if the therapist has written about their strengths personally.
- Find information about their qualifications. In psychotherapy, as well as in any other field, it is important whether a professional keeps up with new achievements, publications, and theories in the industry. Do they work in a professional environment? Look for information about advanced training programs, courses, and trainings. Pay attention how often the therapist publishes new material.
- Talk personally to the therapist. In the end, call or email the potential expert – find out how they work and whether they visit supervisions. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they are silly or inappropriate. You are making an important decision to change your life for the better, and you have the right to know all the details of your upcoming steps.
I can’t say that there are any specific criteria for an “ideal psychologist”, but I hope the answers to these questions will help you to make the right decision.
The main thing is just to trust yourself when making a choice.