Congratulations! You’ve made the first step on your healing journey: Recognizing that you need help. But, what comes next? Now you must find a therapist. Find in this blog our top tips for finding a therapist that works for you and with you towards your larger goals.
No matter the reason, starting therapy can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, feel like your relationship is suffering, or have noticed your child having a hard time, it’s completely normal to feel out of your comfort zone. One of the first hurdles you need to overcome is finding a therapist. With so many titles and distinctions, it can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Have no fear, there is someone out there for you!
There are a lot of different professionals who offer therapy. Finding someone you like and can work with takes time, and dedicated effort. In addition to Psychologists, many other professions offer a therapeutic approach. The truth is, the letters after someone’s name does not define quality or their ability to get the job done. While good training and education are an important factor in the decision, the person themselves is far more important than their collection of degrees. What makes therapy genuinely effective is the relationship you build with your therapist. Trust, safety, and a strong therapeutic bond are key predictors of positive outcomes.
So what should you look for in a therapist?
Firstly, make sure whatever professional you visit does hold some sort of professional licensing. While the exact difference between professionals is negligible, only those with proper training receive licences. This is critical in ensuring, at the bare minimum, a competent therapist.
A good therapist is more than just “competent”. They’re also patient, nonjudgmental, and truly accepting. Being an expert in their field is paramount. As the client you should feel heard, respected, and at ease enough to share without censorship. Therapy can only work if you’re honest, even about the more difficult pieces of you. If you’re sitting across from them and you feel off-put, shameful, or embarrassed- This is not the therapist for you.
There are also practical considerations to be made. Depending on your specific case, you may want to look into specialists who work particularly with the issues you want to work on. Therapists can be specialists in trauma, couples, children, anxiety, depression and many other things. It helps to look for someone whose experience matches your needs. You may also want to look at location, their designation in regards to what (if anything) your private insurance will cover, and, yes, cost. Therapy is an investment in your mental health, but it simply won’t be effective if you can’t afford to go. Many places have therapists at different rates, it’s worth it to discuss that with them or their office. On the other hand a mediocre therapist at a low rate is not better long term than an excellent therapist who is a specialist maybe at a higher rate but who can take on your challenges in an efficient amount of time.. Look for an expert. Much like you would go to a heart specialist not a GP for a serious heart problem- you want a specialist in anxiety, depression, couples or family therapy as well. On our team for example you have to have speciality training in anxiety and depression. This is because there are particular protocols that are used for these challenges. Feel free to always ask when calling a clinic or a therapist if they are a specialist in the challenge you are facing.
In general don’t be afraid to ask about experience level, approach, and what therapy would look like with whoever you reach out to.. Remember: it’s okay to “shop around”. Not every therapist is a perfect match, and that’s completely normal. Each patient, each situation, and each therapist is unique, there is no exact science to finding a “perfect” therapist/client pairing. Your best match may not be the first therapist you meet. There is nothing wrong with trying one session, then deciding to ultimately work with someone else. Trust your gut- you will know when you met your right therapist as you will feel movement and awakening pretty quickly.
Ultimately, finding a therapist is more about the connection than the credentials. The goal in the search is to find someone you feel comfortable sharing deep parts of your life with. Ideally you’d find someone you’re going to grow with, feel safe enough to take risks with, and who helps you look at situations from another point of view. Take the time to properly gather all the information you need and properly think before booking appointments with people. Keep in mind that this is for you, and your well-being. By investing time in the process of finding a therapist, you’re actually investing in yourself. So show yourself some love and take the time to research the best therapist for you.
If you want to learn more about this topic go ahead and listen to our Clinical Director’s Podcast, Straight Talk with Sandra Reich’s episode on Finding a Good Therapist.
About this Episode:
So, you need to find a therapist. Maybe it’s for you: your life or your marriage is suffering. Maybe it’s for your child as you watch her struggle. No matter the reason, the task can feel daunting. There’s the alphabet soup of PhDs, PsyDs, MDs, MSs, and MSWs, not to mention all the labels — psychiatrist, psychologist, marriage & family therapist, family counselor, licensed professional counselor, social worker. Each one brings different training, experience, insights, and character to the table.
How can you find a therapist who is right for your needs? In this episode of Straight Talk, Sandra and her colleague, Georgia Dow, discuss the ins and outs of finding a good therapist who is both skilled as a professional and is also nonjudgmental, accepting, and patient.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUYltTzY66A
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If you feel like you’ve been searching for a good therapist forever but keep coming up empty, think about us. At The Montreal Center for Anxiety and Depression we have top specialists who can provide personalised care for your various needs. It would be our absolute pleasure to match you with a therapist and guide you as you take your first steps towards healthy well-being.
To find your therapist now, give us a call at 514 777-4530 today. We would love to help you, and get you started on your journey. Change your life… TODAY!
