And then there is the pandemic, of course.
All of that may have made this year the year you’re going to choose a therapist to help you try and feel a bit better or at least make some sense of what’s going on.
But where do you start? What should you be looking for?
Having a good rapport is the most important thing in determining the outcome of your therapy. You want to feel comfortable talking to your therapist, as well as being truly invested, interested, and trusting about what they are telling you.
You’ll also want to ensure they have the credentials and training and are licensed to practice where you live. Your therapist should also be able to describe various treatments, their pros and cons, and which types they offer. They should also tell you how they will assess and monitor your progress.
Of course, you can’t always rely on them to volunteer this information, so you’ll want to do some digging online. Once you’ve narrowed down a few options, you’ll want to interview them to see if they are the right fit.
Here are some things to ask:
• What is your training, and what are your credentials?
• How long have you been in the field?
• What kinds of therapy or treatment do you offer, and what do you think may help me?
• What are the pros and cons of each approach?
• How does treatment work?
• How long is the process, and when should I begin to see progress?
• What are the chances of success?
• What is the cost?
And, of course, as you’re speaking to the therapist, you’ll want to monitor how you feel about them and how well the conversation is progressing. Your comfort is key.