Finding a therapist who is perfect for you is not easy. Therapists have their own way of working and it doesn’t always have to fit in with you … Or maybe their personality is not suitable for your way of being or seeing things. Not everyone receives treatment for anxiety or other problems and one of the reasons is because they cannot find a suitable therapist for them. Many start therapy but leave it in the middle.

Fortunately, the stigma of therapy is wearing off, but even so, it is not easy to find a mental health therapist who is right for everyone. Next we are going to give you some tips so that you can find a therapist that is right for you.

Technology can be your friend

Maybe you think that you don’t have time in your daily schedule to go to therapy sessions or you just feel that sharing your most intimate feelings and thoughts with another person does not appeal to you very much. The good news is that you can get therapy sessions from your living room from a licensed professional.

You can choose the modality that is most suitable for you and that is realistic according to your personal case. There are professionals who work directly with WhatsApp messages, by email, by online sessions, etc. Choose the modality that is most balanced for you.

Look for personal references

Talk to your friends to see if they can help you in choosing the professional that best suits you. Instead of making an appointment with the first person to appear on Google, try asking your friends or family for a trustworthy recommendation. 

Many times we are afraid to ask for opinions because we believe that people will judge us. The truth is that our friends are our best referral sources. People in therapy are also very sensitive to confidentiality.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions

It may seem counterintuitive, but an important part of finding a therapist you click with is asking questions (and not just answering theirs). So be proactive by scheduling a short phone interview with that person before scheduling your first in-person date.

Make sure you can chat with them for at least a few minutes. You can ask them about their theoretical orientation because that will give you an idea of ​​whether or not they are a good option for you. It doesn’t matter if you understand the psychological terms. The important part is getting to know your therapist a bit before you choose him.

Determine the type of therapy you need

Think about whether you have anxiety, depression or another type of emotional distress that does not allow you to have a good quality of life. Different therapists specialize in different topics. So you have to make sure you find one who is experienced in treating the issues that you feel you need to address in therapy.

Treat first dates as personal first dates

The fact that you have booked an appointment with your therapist does not mean that you have to commit to that person for the entire therapy … you will have to assess how it goes and how you feel in those first session and be honest about what you need from that professional And if it doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to find someone else who can help you better.

Just because it doesn’t work for one doesn’t mean they’re all bad. Many people stop going to therapy altogether when they don’t have the right fit. You could have the most brilliant therapist in the world, but if you don’t feel understood by that person , then all the brilliance will mean nothing …

Instead of booking a month of sessions with the first therapist you meet, try to get to know them first. You will need several sessions for that. Then make a decision about whether it is good for you or if that is better to change for better results .