Looking for a therapist
When an individual decides to seek out a therapist it becomes a very personal task. You should look for a therapist as carefully as you would choose a medical doctor or a dentist. This is going to be the person that you put in charge of your emotional well-being, so you should be very sure in who you select.
Process of Finding a Therapist
As with every task, finding a good therapist will take some time and research. The phone book and the Internet are filled with potential options. A couple of things to remember when you first begin your search:
1. Do you prefer a man or a woman? This could potentially cut your search in half.
2. Check with your insurance carrier, to see which therapists are covered under your plan. This will again help you to reduce your search.
3. Speak to your close friends and family and see if they have any personal recommendations. Bear in mind that not all therapist work for everyone, so these therapist may or may not have the same success with you.
4. You could also ask for a professional reference from your doctor, priest or other credible source.
Once you have selected a therapist, then you should prepare for your first appointment.
They are many different types of licensed mental health professionals, so you should be familiar with them.
1. Psychiatrist- These are medical doctors that can also prescribe medication.
2. Psychologist- They have earned a Doctorate in Psychology and usually have completed an internship.
3. Counselors- They have earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
4. Clinical Social Worker- They usually have earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
First Appointment
Once you make your first appointment, don’t feel as if you are permanently locked into your choice, and be prepared to ask some serious questions.
1. When you step into the office, ask yourself how comfortable you feel being there. If you have a positive feeling, then that is a good sign. Trust your intuition on this one. It is perfectly acceptable to visit a couple of therapists before making a decision.
2. Use the first appointment as an opportunity to ask the therapist some important questions:
A) Ask the therapist about their license. Not all therapists are required to have a license in all states, so you should check and see what your state’s requirements are. If your therapist says he/she has a license, you can check that with the State’s Board of Licensing.
B) Ask them about their fee schedule, office hours, length of session, cancellation policy, insurance reimbursement, how long have they been in practice, and are they experienced in the issues that are bothering you.
C) You can also ask them about what professional organizations they are affiliated with.
Continuing Sessions
Once you have decided on a therapist it is important to get the most out of your sessions. Depending on your level of issues, treatment could be brief, having between ten to twenty sessions. For more detailed issues, therapy could last as long as up to a year. Once you feel you are benefiting from your sessions you should continue them. When you have reached the point that you have reached your goal, it is perfectly acceptable to let your therapist know that you to wish to end the sessions. It is important that your therapist accept your decision and not pressure you into continuing with them. They might request one session to wrap up and get your feedback on how you thought the sessions went.
One thing is for certain, that if you find the therapist that matches your needs and expectations, then therapy be can be a rewarding experience. They can certainly help you work through your problems in an environment that is opening and not threatening at all. Most individuals just need to find a secure place to talk out their issues, and therapy is one place that certainly can provide it. Remember that you may not always find your therapist at the first shot, and it is okay to look around until you find that individual that is a perfect match for you. You don’t want to waste your time.
Learn how to treat depression immediately and naturally! |
