How to Find the Right Therapist

Written by: Stephanie Underwood, RSW

Choosing the right therapist can be a daunting task,

but it’s one that can significantly impact your mental health and overall well-being. I can never stress enough the importance of choosing the right therapist or mental health professional that works for you. The therapeutic alliance, which is the relationship between the therapist and the client, is just as important - if not more - than the therapeutic approach that the therapist uses. Even more so if you are seeking therapy to work on relational issues, particularly betrayal trauma. Today’s blog is entirely dedicated to providing you with guidance to help you find the perfect therapeutic match when looking for a therapist. There are many different types of therapeutic models and approaches to choose from, and a therapist often only specializes in one or a few areas of practice - every therapist is different. Some therapists focus on working with children, some with families, and some may only work with individual adults Depending on your needs, a therapist who uses a particular approach may not be a good fit to address your specific needs. Which is why shopping for your therapist is imperative in making sure that your counselling experience is a positive one.

Determining Your Needs

Before looking for a therapist, it's important to consider what you're looking for in therapy. Do you have a specific issue you want to work on, such as anxiety or depression? Or are you looking for more general support and guidance? Knowing what you want from therapy will help you narrow your options and choose a therapist who specializes in the areas you need. Are you looking for short term or long term therapy? These are examples of what you will want to consider when you begin searching for a therapist.

I highly recommend that you look up your therapist before proceeding with therapy in order to get a picture of who they are and how they work with their clients.

Research the Different Therapy Approaches

There are many different therapy styles and approaches, and it's important to find one that resonates with you. Some types of therapies are similar to one another, and some are very different. You don’t have to become an expert in all the different types of therapy treatments, but you want to get the highlights of each one and see how you feel about them. For example, some common therapy styles include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns, and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), mainly focuses on emotional regulation - how to manage your emotions. Research different therapy styles and consider which ones might be a good fit for you.

Look for a Licensed and Experienced Professional Therapist or Social Worker

It's critical to choose a therapist who is licensed and experienced in their field. A licensed therapist has undergone extensive training and has met certain educational and clinical requirements. An experienced therapist will have a proven track record of helping people with similar issues to yours. A degree from Tik Tok University or a person with “lived experience” is not going to be beneficial to your mental health and actually puts you at risk of being re-traumatized. Of course lived experience can be important to many individuals - but the lived experience alone can harm you more than it will heal you.

Consider the Therapist’s Personality

While choosing a therapist who is experienced and qualified, it's also important to find someone you feel comfortable with. Finding a therapist with a personality and approach that resonates with you is important. For example, if you're looking for a more supportive and nurturing therapist, you might want to choose someone who has a warm and empathetic approach. The key is finding someone that you believe could make you feel safe about being vulnerable in a therapeutic setting. Listen to your gut instincts. If it doesn’t feel right or something doesn’t seem to sit well with you when you meet them for an initial consultation - then it’s probably not the right fit.

Read reviews and ask for recommendations

One of the best ways to find a good therapist is to read reviews and ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your primary care doctor. Reading reviews can give you a sense of what other people have experienced with a particular therapist and help you make an informed decision.

In conclusion, choosing the right therapist can be a challenging but important task. By considering your needs, researching different therapy styles, looking for a licensed and experienced therapist, considering the therapist's personality and approach, and reading reviews and asking for recommendations, you can find a therapist who is right for you and your specific needs.

What has your experience been like when trying to find a therapist?

• 0%Good experience, I was able to find a good match
• 0%Negative experience, I struggled to find the right match