Choosing A Therapist

Anxiety.  Depression.  OCD.  Trauma.  ADHD.  Relationship stress.  There are many different reasons why people seek therapy for what can be deeply personal challenges, which is why choosing a therapist who is compatible with your needs and personality can be a difficult yet hopefully rewarding endeavor.  Below are some important thoughts and questions to ask yourself when choosing a therapist:

Specialization.

 It is possible you feel a therapist would be an excellent fit for you in terms of building rapport, however, the therapist might not specialize in the domain for which you are seeking treatment?  If you are seeking treatment for a specific issue, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, be sure to ask the intake coordinator if there are any therapists on staff who specialize in treating the disorder or issue.

Experience.

For some individuals, the thought of seeing a therapist who is newly out of graduate school is a turn off because they want to feel confident the therapist is knowledgeable and experienced.  For others, the thought of a new and/or younger therapist might be an attractive one because it could increase the chance they are able to connect better with them given their age.

Practice.

New therapy clients who come to our practice are sometimes also interested in psychiatry services and would like for there to be consistent collaboration between therapist and the treating psychiatry clinician in hopes of receiving the best possible care experience.  Practices which offer therapy and psychiatry services are an attractive option for individuals who are seeking both forms of treatment.

Can I find a therapist who is culturally aware and sensitive?

Cultural sensitivity in therapy refers to a therapist’s ability to understand an individual’s characteristics and beliefs in terms of gender, sexual orientation, race, and ethnicity, among other factors potential clients consider to be relevant to their treatment needs.  Finding a therapist with competence in the areas that are most important to you will also improve the chance of a positive outcome in treatment.

The above list is not exhaustive, so if there is something not mentioned above that’s important to you in choosing a therapist, be sure to research and seek out someone who can meet your needs.  A simple Google Search or browsing Psychology Today will give you the opportunity to search therapists in your area and read their biographies so you can assess your compatibility with them in treatment.