By KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

http://DOCintheBiz.com

Finding a good therapist can be extremely difficult; however, once you do find the right person for you, it can prove to be well worth it and even life changing! Of course finding someone credentialed and licensed, experienced and competent is imperative; however, the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client is also vital. A deeply personalized relationship characterized by mutual trust, respect and understanding is essential for lasting therapeutic change to take place. The therapist should understand the very specific needs of the client. At the same time, the client should be responsible for choosing a therapist whom they feel can meet those needs.

Philosophies from some of the greatest moguls who have practiced Person-Centered, Adlerian, Gestalt, Existential, and Cognitive Behavioral therapies (just to name a few), adhere to the fact that the right therapist/client match will ultimately set the platform for successful therapeutic outcomes.

When it comes to finding a great face-to-face therapist or an online therapist (I will be using the name therapist to mean therapist, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist), I suggest the same steps for both to finding a great match for you.

For finding a face to face therapist, whether the psychotherapist is a psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), the first step I suggest is to call your insurance company and ask for a list of therapists in your area. You will be asked which kind of therapist you would like to see (listed above) and in what area you live or how far you are willing to travel. You can decide whether or not you want to see a female therapist or a male therapist. The insurance company will usually give you two (2) choices. They will either offer to read names, phone numbers, and addresses to you over the phone, or direct you to their website. Depending on how computer savvy you are, you may decide which you prefer. Sometimes the insurance company website can be confusing and if you get lost on it, you may just give up, so I often suggest if you don’t feel comfortable navigating around a website, allow the insurance company to read you names and numbers over the phone right then and there.

When you get names, write them down with phone numbers and addresses in a list. Your health insurance company should be very patient and helpful in sharing many names with you until you feel as though you have enough. You can always call back for more.

The next step is to start at the top of the list and call each therapist individually. Have your own patience here because you may get his/her voice mail or no answer at all. Just be persistent until you can actually get a therapist on the telephone to talk to you. You can also wait a day or so for calls back if you decide to leave a message, but then again, often when looking for a therapist, you are looking for instant gratification. Sometimes, you may just have to wait a little for the right person to return your call. If in that time, you find someone else, then go with him or her.

Use the phone for the very important initial contact to find out what the therapist is like. You should have a mini “interview” to see if your personalities match, if the therapist specializes in your area(s) of concern, and if the vibe feels comfortable. I understand that therapists are busy, but so are you, and if he or she is not willing to give you the time needed to determine compatibility, then that should tell you something. Trust your gut instinct. If you’re not feeling comfortable, move on and contact another therapist. The therapist should be asking questions of you also, to see if he or she is the best one for you as well.

Here, at http://DOCintheBiz.com, I have website dedicated to explaining who I am, self help links with general information on emotional/mental health issues, what online therapy is all about, including the pros and cons of it, and a way to determine if it is for you. I also provide this blog for general learning purposes and so that perspective clientele can get a feel for who I am and whether or not we may be a nice fit for a therapeutic relationship. An inexpensive first consultation e-mail is offered to confirm that there is a fit, and we go from there.

In my opinion, the process of finding a good therapist is truly all about finding a good match. Your emotional/mental health is extremely important and should not be taken lightly. If you end up with an incompatible therapist who either tells you what to do or just isn’t right for you, this could ruin your view of therapy and scare you away from what can potentially change your life for the better. Every one needs something different when it comes to therapy and that is why there are so many different kinds of therapists and so man different models of (and approaches to) psychotherapy. It may seem like an overwhelming process, but stick with it for the results can prove tremendous!

A truly good therapist asks you the right questions to guide you in finding the answers that are best for you. Afterall, no one knows you better than you know yourself. Good luck and please visit us at http://DOCintheBiz.com for our mental health self help links and the opportunity to email Dr. KC for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have!

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