How To Choose The Right Therapist?

Finding a therapist who is the right fit is fundamental for successful therapy. You need to feel comfortable openly sharing with them in a way that resonates with you personally. This guide covers key factors to consider, but ultimately, trust your instincts on who feels right - it will enable a trusting therapeutic relationship tailored to your unique needs.

When should you seek therapy 

You may benefit from therapy if you're grappling with persistent negative thoughts, emotions or unhealthy coping behaviors that impair your daily functioning. Major life transitions, traumatic events, relationship conflicts or physical symptoms potentially linked to emotional distress can also signal a need for professional support. If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seeking help from a therapist is crucial.

Finding a TherapistA good place to start is a trusted doctor (GP or specialist) if you feel comfortable speaking with them. Alternatively, below are some online platforms to connect you with therapists. 

iCALL's (TISS) Crowdsourced list of MH professionals - Although it may not have been updated since Apr 2021

Mind Clan – they also have plenty of free resources and information( support groups, helpslines etc) 

Therapy Route

ShareYrHeart 

Evaluate the Therapist's Credentials

Credentials are crucial - they ensure your therapist has proper training in maintaining your psychological safety throughout therapy. While qualifications don't guarantee a perfect fit, a credentialed therapist meets minimum ethical and training standards. 

I strongly recommend verifying their credentials. Some may use professional titles improperly/falsely. All though  they may be well intentioned, these ‘therapists’ or ‘psychologists’ or  ‘professionals’ don’t realise that empathy and perceived emotional maturity  alone doesn't substitute for the training qualified mental health professionals receive to recognize the influence of personal biases, power dynamics, and provide personalized support beyond just advice. 

Thus, ensure your prospective therapist is licensed and holds notable credentials (MA, MSc, MPhil, MCouns, PhD or PsyD); and is licensed in your state and country. Ask to see their certifications and qualifications. 

Experience

Your therapist’s experience makes a difference, particularly with issues like OCD, addiction, substance use, eating disorders, schizophrenia, postnatal depression, sexual abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Pro Tip: While experience is really important and good rule of thumb in evaluating a therapist.  Although sometimes experienced psychotherapists  can also feel like a not a good fit for you. Sometimes experienced  clinicians may make assumptions about your experiences based on their experience with other clients and it may feel like they haven’t heard you enough or moulded to your needs enough. So trust yourself on how you feel with your therapist. 

With credentials and experience equal, the next  crucial factor to consider is the therapeutic relationship with your therapist. A consensus amongst most leading trauma specialists, is that  the quality of the therapeutic relationship determines the success of the therapy. A therapist should feel like a potential partner on your growth journey, someone you can connect with. How likely are you to show your most authentic and vulnerable self to a therapist you don't connect with or trust?

Your therapist cannot predict the outcome of the therapy but they should be able to  impart hope in you, even if it's just the hope that things will become clearer in time. You should not leave feeling inferior, told off, judged, mocked or criticised.

Understand The Types of Therapies 

It can be comforting to familiarizing yourself with the various therapeutic modalities that your potential therapist practices, so you can make an informed decision. Below is a list of the common psychotherapy modalities

Talk Therapies

Talk therapies involve the use of conversation as the primary therapeutic mode, often rooted in the here and now, tend to include various activities and exercises as a part of therapeutic process :

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Relational Therapies

These are talk therapies too but the focus of these therapies is primarily on the relationship between therapist and client and how that dynamic can reflect broader patterns in the client’s life:

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Person -Centered Therapy 

Experiential Therapies

Experiential therapies involve activities that help a client engage emotions and body sensations and may include activities outside of talking:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

• Gestalt Therapy 

• Somatic Experiencing Psychotherapy 

• Art Therapy

• Dance Movement Therapy

These are some of the common therapies available, yet there are many other therapies practiced globally

Ask for a phone consultation 

This is not a full session. A phone consultation can help you gauge the therapist's communication style, empathy, and whether they have a treatment approach that resonates with your needs.

What if You and Your Therapist Don't Match?

Discomfort during sessions can be normal when exploring difficult emotions and experiences. However discomfort with your therapist, in terms of judgement, unwarranted assumptions or you feel a lack of understanding progress, or differing values, could be a sign that you’ll aren’t a good match. Some amount of ‘therapy shopping’ is normal in finding a therapist that feels like a good fit for you.

In conclusion, I hope this guide is helpful in navigating this important and deeply personal process of finding the right therapist for yourself. Remember to trust yourself and your instincts throughout this process.