Are you the right one?
How do I choose a therapist? This is a common question. How do you pick the person that you're going to open your wounds and spill your guts out? A person that you will establish a close relationship with?
After talking to some of my clients I've heard some factors that stick out as important in choosing: 1. How quickly the potential therapist responds to their inquiry. In such a technically accessible and convenient world, most clients feel a response in less than 24 hours is warranted; whether it's by text, email, Facebook, phone, etc. The quicker the better.
2. Google! Staying on the technical subject, many clients have reported doing Internet searches to see who comes up in their area. Thanks to www.psychologytoday.com, clients can look for therapists specifically in their area and also see the profiles of therapists and how and what population they work with. Many clients say they have an idea of how the therapist might be just by reading profiles or looking at their personal websites.
3. Friend or Family Recommendations This can be tricky for therapists because of confidentiality, however some clients report that they've sought out therapists based on a personal recommendation. The therapist can never confirm this, but the family or friend that comes in may have more confidence in the process knowing someone close to them is being helped.
4. The Very First In Person Meeting! This is the scary part. There is a consensus with clients, that they really make their final decision after the first meeting. Most clients say they "know" immediately after this first meeting their comfort level and whether they'll continue or not. You may be wondering why Experience is not one of the four listed? This factor does come up and has been asked: "How many years have you been in practice?" or "How long have you been working with couples?" Ultimately after meeting with the individual, if it is determined we're on the "same page" with treatment plan and goals, we can work together to gain distance from their problems, and the years of experience requirement becomes less of a priority.
In Veritas Libertas -Heather Cotsenmoyer, MA, MFT