What to Look for When Choosing a Therapist
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A therapist can help get you through a lot of tough times. A good therapist can make all the difference in how you feel. Different therapists have their own techniques, and different people respond differently as well. There is no one right style that will work for everyone. The following are some tips on what to look for when choosing a therapist.
Their methods match with yours
Again, you may respond better to a certain methods. For instance, some therapists are no-nonsense people, and will challenge you greatly and not always be so soft with their opinions. They may try to get you to be strong to change, and may take a harsher approach. For some, this may be a great strategy.
Other people, however, will prefer a therapist that is extremely empathetic. They may respond better to that. In your first visit or even a consultation beforehand, you might get an idea of the therapist’s style and if it would work for you.
You feel that they are listening to you
No matter what style you prefer you want to feel that your therapist is listening to you. You do not want them to be daydreaming or constantly glancing at their watch during the session. You will often be able to see this within your first few sessions, and then you can make the decision to switch therapists if you are not happy.
A good recommendation
A great way to find a therapist is to get a great recommendation. It would be especially great if you can find someone who had the same sort of issues that you do. You can ask to friends or family members that you know to try to get an idea of how much they liked a particular professional as well as the reasons why.
Takes your insurance (if applicable)
Many people get insurance benefits for professional therapists. It might behoove you to look this up because you can save a significant amount of money.
Many therapists charge a lot of money – $100 an hour or more – and a good insurance plan can bring this down to a co-payment that is only a fraction of the cost. Of course, all of this will depend upon your particular insurance policy.
Emergency availability
Some therapists have a way that you can reach them, even after hours, in the case of an emergency. Others can be more flexible about fitting you in should something happen. You may want to look for someone who would be able to provide this flexibility if you feel that you may need it.
Updated On: 03/17/2010 Published On: 03/1 Guide to the first trimester of pregnancy