How to Find the ‘Right’ Therapist
The word right is in quotation marks for a reason, right is subjective and will depend on the individual, therapist, and situation. That being said, having a good rapport, relationship, safety, and connection with your therapist is one of the most important aspects of a positive and effective therapeutic experience. As a therapist, I take my time researching before suggesting therapists and giving referrals to clients, friends, or family members. I know that it can only take one bad experience to turn someone away from what could potentially be a helpful and healing experience. So here are my tips and tricks for choosing a therapist that is a good fit!
1. Think about your goals and needs
Knowing what you want to achieve in therapy can help narrow your search to finding a therapist that fits your personal needs.
Therapists typically have specialties and/or have been trained in specific approaches, demographics, and topics. Some therapeutic approaches are designed for certain issues, for example Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is evidenced based approach proven to help with depression and anxiety. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is successful with emotional regulation, teens, and borderline personality disorder. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) are helpful for clients with various forms of trauma and PTSD. Play Therapy is incredibly beneficial for children as well as adolescents and adults, giving clients alternate forms of communication and expression.
2. Read the bio
Do you connect with what they are saying? Do you agree with their thoughts? Are they addressing the issues that are important to you? Tune into the message they are trying to send and see if it speaks to you!
Keep an eye out for what the therapist specializes in when it comes to the age of clients (some see all ages, others only children or only adults), demographic expertise (ie: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Veterans, Woman’s issues, etc), and specialties (ie: eating disorders, addiction, trauma, relationship issues, chronic physical pain).
3. Look at their picture
“A picture says a thousand words”, and luckily, most therapist bios/profiles include a picture so you can see who you would be working with. This can help if you are looking for a specific gender, race, ethnicity, or age of therapist. You will want someone that you can get along with, and a picture in addition to their bio and experience can help you decide that. I don’t recommend judging a book by its cover, but it is something that can provide insight.
4. Ask for a consult call
Many therapist and practices offer a free consultation, typically a phone call ranging from 5-15 minutes. Take some time to think of questions you may have that were not answered on their bio or website. You can also use that time to give a brief description of what you are looking for and would like support in and see if they feel it would be a good fit as well.
5. Network
Therapy is becoming less stigmatized and more common, so you may know friends, family or others who have a therapist. If appropriate, ask them what they like about their therapist, whether they would recommend them, or whether they have suggestions or referrals. If an agency or practice is recommended, talk to the office staff to see who they would suggest based on your needs. Referrals are a great way to find someone you can connect with and trust.
Take some time to look around, this is a professional that you will be having an intimate working relationship with and it is important that you feel safe, comfortable, and connected. If those aren’t present in the therapeutic relationship, talk to your therapist about changes you can make in session, or consider finding a connection where those exist.
Finding a therapist can be an intimidating and daunting process, but is well worth the benefit of healing, growth, and self-acceptance!
Where to start your search:
www.wasatchfamilytherapy.com
Your insurance’s list of providers
To schedule an appointment with a provider at Wasatch Family Therapy, call us at 801.944.4555.
