How to Choose a Therapist
By Nancy Hayes-Gary, Psy,D.
Initially, it can appear to be a daunting task to select the right therapist for you. There are many to chose from, and their profiles usually sound pretty good, don’t they? If you have already been in therapy, you have the advantage of knowing what worked for you in the way of therapist style, personality, approach and the like,..and probably what didn’t work, Regardless, it is usually a good idea to start off with a list of what you know you want. Is it important that the therapist be male or female, older or younger, or of one type of approach or another. Some people just know that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is right for them, while others who want to work more on identity or relationships may prefer an object relations therapist.
After brainstorming your list of criteria, scour the web, as many therapists have web sites and directory listings that provide a good deal of information about them. It is not a bad idea to choose two therapists to start with, and schedule two consultation sessions to ascertain which might offer the best fit for you. Probably the most important question to keep in mind is what it will be like to be in a close relationship with this person, and initial consults can assist with this rather intangible element. Come to these sessions armed with a list of your questions, such as how much experience the therapist has with your particular concern, or with treating children/adolescents if you are a parent pursuing this search. Therapists should be glad to take the time to address your questions and concerns with data about themselves like education, training, experience, and style of work. Pragmatically, you need to know if your scheduling needs can be accommodated, and whether you are limited to an insurance network of therapists, or have benefits allowing you to choose whoever you want as an out-of-network provider.
Having said all this, it probably boils down to “trusting your gut sense” of whom is the best choice for you. This is an important investment of your time, energy, and finances, so the right relationship is extremely important. Of course, if after several sessions the therapy is not feeling like a good fit for you, or you are not feeling heard or getting any beginning results in the way of feeling better, it would be wise to bring this up with the therapist, or even re-think your choice. Therapy can change your life in so many ways, so its important to invest the time finding the therapist most likely to suit your particular needs and concerns.
