How To Find The Perfect Therapist For You
There’s no shame in looking for help, especially in this chaotic world. Being able to talk to someone, spill your heart out, and have them truly listen is incredibly healing. This is why so many people seek out the help of therapists. But how does one find the right therapist? How do you find the perfect fit? While finding the right therapist may seem like a daunting task at first, with the right tools and information, the process may not be as challenging as you think.
Therapy is an intimate experience (you are sharing your darkest secrets after all) and having an established connection and respect for one another is essential for successful therapy. Sometimes finding the right therapist takes a couple of tries. Think of your first meeting like a first date. If it goes well, make plans for a second date. If it doesn’t, try giving someone else a chance.
Hitting The Books: Doing Your Research Before Entering The Office
Research isn’t always the most fun but doing some legwork is important when finding the right therapist. Studying up on therapists in your local area can help you save some time in the long run as well as your hard-earned cash.
By reading up on the therapists around you, you’ll be able to slim your list down to only a handful of candidates that you feel would be the right fit for you. This way, you won’t have to have meeting after meeting with countless therapists. Therapist directories are an excellent way of conducting research on what you need in a therapist. RightFit offers a state-of-the-art directory that is guaranteed to match you with the perfect therapist and your right fit.
Hey, What Do You Think?: Asking Around For Help
When someone is distressed and seeking help for themselves, they often turn to their friends or family for support and guidance. This support can give you a new perspective on any problems or issues you may be struggling with. Looking for help and reaching out can be overwhelming but getting the support of friends and family can make the process more manageable.
Asking others for help in finding a therapist can be a great way to create a shortlist of viable candidates. Your friends and family know you best and can give you an idea of which therapists would be suitable for you.
Get the Conversation Started: Conducting A Phone Interview With Your Therapist
We’ve already talked about doing research as well as asking the people close to you when looking for the right therapist. But the most obvious step to take when looking for a therapist is to talk to potential therapists yourself. Many therapists offer free, 10-15 minute phone consultations. Holding a mini interview with a prospective therapist is a great way of tapping into that therapist’s mindset and personality to see if they are someone you connect with.
It’s important to ask questions and raise any concerns you may have when you interview your prospective therapist. You will not only be helping yourself understand your therapist a bit better, but you will also be giving them an understanding of you and what your expectations are when it comes to therapy. It’s important to be honest to make sure your therapist has the appropriate skillset to help you. Knowing what to ask can be hard, but your therapist will likely have some standard questions for you. When you email a therapist through RightFit, you’ll be given some question prompts to get the conversation started.
In the case of immediate help or emergency call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741. And of course, if someone is ever a serious, immediate threat to themselves, call 911 or, if it’s safe to do so, take them to the closest hospital.