Not all therapists are the same. Unfortunately, if you need therapy, finding the right therapist for you can also be stressful in itself. Since you will have to put your mental health in the hands of your chosen therapist, you have to make sure that you choose someone who will put your welfare first before anything else.
The most important thing you have to watch for is if a therapist suits your needs at all. Try to step back and think about the motivations and goals you have for the therapy. What do you hope to change or want to work on?
What issues or problems do you wish to solve? It would be fine if you don’t know the answers to these questions yet. You will soon figure them out as you start your sessions with your therapist.
Here are the top factors to consider when looking for a good therapist:
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A Sense of Comfort
Your therapist may be a professional, but he or she is still a person. The therapeutic relationship you have with your therapist is among the most critical aspects of therapy. Sometimes, you may also find it easier to establish a relationship with certain people compared to others.
Below are some things you need to consider to find someone you feel most comfortable with:
- Gender
It is common for some people to feel more comfortable discussing their feelings with people who belong to a specific gender.
- Language
If your first language is not English, for example, it might be great if you look for someone who can speak to you in your mother tongue.
- Culture, Race, and Ethnicity
If the world was perfect, all therapists of different backgrounds should have been culturally competent with the ability to understand the distinct problems that people from different cultures or minority groups deal with.
However, the world is far from perfect, and at the end of the day, it often makes more sense to trust someone with a similar ethnic background as yours.
- Religion
Some therapists may also specialize in therapy performed through a spiritual or religious perspective.
- Sexual orientation or identity
If you belong to the LGBTQ+ community, chances are you will feel more comfortable talking to a therapist who is also part of it.
Area of Expertise or Focus
Many therapists have undergone intensive training to treat anxiety and depression, two of the most prevalent mental health disorders right now. However, if you are dealing with more specific conditions, it would be more sensible to choose a therapist who specializes in your issue. Some of these specialized issues are bipolar disorder, addiction, trauma, sexuality, relationships, and more.
Some therapists also advertise using specific types of therapy. Many therapists also mix and match different methods depending on your needs. However, if you prefer something more specialized such as cognitive behavioral therapy, be sure to look for a therapist who is an expert in the area.
