Jun 30 2008
How to Choose A Good Therapist: What You Should Consider
A few days ago, I mentioned that medication can be prescribed by your doctor in order to reduce anxiety symptoms. However, it is also important to realize that medication is not a “cure” for anxiety. In order to really overcome your anxiety, you need to see a therapist. Following are some considerations you should think about while you are seeking a therapist to help you with your anxiety:
First, you should consider which therapists your insurance covers. You can easily narrow your search for a therapist by calling your insurance company and asking which therapists they cover in your city or town. Most insurance companies also have on-line databases you can check for providers they cover.
If you do not have insurance, you should ask a potential therapist upfront whether he or she works with a sliding scale, which bases your payment per session on your income.
Second, you need to consider what orientation you would like your therapist to work from. For instance, while some therapists operate from a psychoanalytic perspective, others operate from a Person Centered orientation.
I suggest working with a therapist who operates from a cognitive-behavioral perspective. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, you will work with a therapist to examine your thoughts, learn how to change them, and learn new behaviors to cope with your anxiety more effectively.
Additionally, you need to ask a potential therapist what he or she specializes in. If you are seeking counseling to deal with anxiety, your therapist should specialize in anxiety, panic, anxiety disorders, and/or phobias.
Third, you need to determine if you are more comfortable working with a male or female therapist. In order for therapy to be effective, you need to be comfortable with your therapist; you need to feel safe in the therapeutic environment and you need to be able to trust your therapist.
Additionally, a therapist’s credentials are not as important as whether you feel you can talk with the therapist you choose.
Finally, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of your potential therapist in the first session. Many therapists will give you a free first session or consultation in order for you to determine whether or not you click. Write down any and all questions you have for your potential therapist so that you will not forget to ask anything important.
During your first session, pay attention to your therapist’s behavior. A good therapist asks a lot of questions, doesn’t give advice automatically, listens intently, and focuses his or her attention on you during your sessions rather than on other things (such as typing reports or answering the phone). These things may seem like common sense things for therapists to do, but I have heard many therapists do NOT actually do them!
Finding a therapist can seem like a daunting task; however, these suggestions should help you narrow your search and find a good therapist to help you cope with your specific struggles.
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