Choosing a Therapist

Starting to see a therapist can feel like a daunting task. Finding someone who is a good fit often requires a bit of research and calling/ emailing around, which can be emotionally draining, even if you weren’t dealing with whatever your presenting issue might be. Successfully choosing a therapist is an important part of healing and can be relatively simple when you know what to look for.

What Should I Look For in a Therapist?

Your Comfort Level, First and Foremost

The number one determiner of success in therapy is probably not what you think. It’s not that your therapist is the same gender as you, it’s not that the therapist has a similar background to yours, and it’s not even the approach that the therapist uses in counseling. The number one determiner of successful goal attainment in therapy is that you feel comfortable with your therapist, and that you have confidence in their abilities. If you feel that your therapist is someone you can work well with and that you can trust, chances are you have found a good fit.

Usually, it takes at least one face-to-face session to determine how comfortable you are with any therapist, although speaking over the phone can provide some insight as well. Pay attention to the way you feel during your first session. It certainly is normal to feel nervous, but did the therapist’s presence put you at ease? Did you feel respected and valued by them? Did you feel that you could trust them? These are all great questions to ask before really setting out to do the therapeutic work together.

Has the Therapist Helped People in Situations Similar to Yours?

A second indication that a therapist may be helpful to you is their successful track record with similar issues to whatever you might be seeking therapy for. While a therapist is legally obligated not to go into much detail about other clients, they should be able to give you a general idea of their experience level with similar situations, specifically whether they have been able to be helpful to other clients. Check a therapist’s website to see if you can find specific issues they can skillfully address, as well as any writing the therapist may have written on the topic.

Check Their Photo If Possible

Most therapists will have their photo listed on either their website or in a professional directory. I would not say that a picture is enough on its own to determine if a therapist is a good fit, but sometimes it is enough to determine if you would rather work with someone else. Trust your gut intuition, if something seems off, it may be a sign that you are better off with a different therapist. Your therapist doesn’t need to look like a supermodel, but it does need to be someone that you could easily see yourself comfortably talking to for an hour. Click here to view our therapists’ bios.

What Are Some Warning Signs I Should Look For?

Their Office is Cluttered and Unkempt

Therapy is a place of healing and peace, and the environment should reflect that. You should not feel uneasy or distracted when entering their office. This seems basic, but I have seen offices that had empty soda cans and other trash littering the floor. I wish I was kidding.

Communication Around Setting Up the Initial Appointment was Confusing or Lacking

Finding a therapist can certainly be emotionally draining, especially if communication around setting up the first session is unclear or difficult. You want to find someone that it is easy to communicate with right out the gate.

They Keep Talking About Themselves During Your Time Together

While there may be a time and a place for a therapist to talk about their own experiences, therapy is about you, the client. If you find that a therapist keeps bringing up irrelevant stories or details from their own life, it can take the focus off the reason why you decided to seek out therapy in the first place.

They Make You Feel Judged or Unsafe

For you to heal, you need to first feel safe. If a therapist makes you feel judged or in any way unsafe, that should be a big red flag. Both you and your therapist are a team when it comes to reaching the goals you set for yourself. If you have a teammate that consistently makes you feel uncomfortable, it may be a sign to move on to someone else.

Ultimately, the therapy process is about you and your experiences. The therapist’s role is to create a safe place for you and to help guide you in the process, not to solve your problems for you. At the end of the day, if you feel that you can trust your therapist and that they will be able to help you, commit to the process and begin your journey towards healing. We have a wide variety of counselors available to help you at the Renewing Life Center. Call 702-434-7290 to schedule an appointment today.