Today, while people have started embracing the importance of therapy, they sometimes fail to choose a therapist that is a good match. According to studies, almost 20% to 50%of people fail to return after the first session of therapy because either they weren’t comfortable enough to open the can of worms or there was a therapeutic breach.
Finding the right therapist matters!
Finding the right therapist plays a significant role in getting the best out of your therapy sessions. After all, you need someone to that you are comfortable opening up and sharing all the issues and dilemmas that you are facing. From problems in your daily life to opening up old wounds, unless you and your therapist’s goals are aligned, you won’t be able to gain anything significant out of your therapy sessions.
Factors to consider when finding a therapist
While there are many great therapists in Perth, each has varying types of credentials, experience, and skills. However, just because a therapist is highly qualified doesn’t mean that he is the right fit for you.
A good therapist is compassionate and shows empathy, flexibility, and adaptability. They are there to help you reach your goals. To help you find the right therapist, consider the following factors to see if your therapist is a perfect match.
Gender
To many people, gender plays a big part in feeling comfortable discussing their particular issues. This is especially true in cases of past trauma, female survivors of domestic violence, and LGBTQIA issues. Alternatively, some women may be more comfortable discussing a particular problem with a female therapist or vice versa. So before starting therapy, the first and foremost thing you should do is ask yourself if you would be more comfortable with a male or a female therapist.
Type of Therapy
Therapists use a wide range of methodologies to treat patients. Some of these include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, Humanistic Therapy, and even Integrative Therapy.
Once you narrow down the gender of the therapist, the second factor to consider when finding a therapist is the type of therapy your chosen (or short-listed) therapist might use to help you with your problems. Moreover, it would help if you also looked into why your chosen therapist feels that this treatment would be the most effective for you. Alternatively, you can also research the chosen methodology and its effectiveness on the Internet.
Mode of Therapy
With the boom in technology, one is no longer confined to physically visiting a doctor or a therapist. Nowadays, many therapists also offer online sessions as well. So the third important factor to consider is if you are comfortable and if circumstances allow you to visit your therapist for a weekly or a bi-weekly session. Patients who are reluctant or face difficulty opening up to someone new in person might benefit significantly fromonline therapy.
How do I know if my therapist and I are a perfect match?
Finding out whether you and your therapist are a good match can sometimes be difficult, especially when you don’t know what and where to look. However, you can begin by asking yourself the following questions
- Does your therapist listen to you? Do they accept you just the way you are?
- Is he or she making a conscious effort to understand you?
- Do you feel comfortable sharing your personal feelings and details with your therapist?
- While talking to your therapist, can you be honest with them?
- Do you have to pretend to be someone else, or are you comfortable in your own shoes?
- Does your therapist criticize or interrupt you regularly?
- Does your therapist speak more than you do?
- Do they challenge you and help you see things from a different perspective?
- Do they rush your treatment?
Finding answers to the questions mentioned above is just the starting point towards discovering if your therapist is the right fit for you or not. A good therapist will always work with you to improve your mental health. They won’t act, play the role of a teacher and show you how to behave, but they will guide and support you on your road towards recovery.
In conclusion
Remember! Finding the right therapist is crucial for the success of the treatment. Ultimately, it is all about matching with someone you feel comfortable pursuing treatment with. But just like any other endeavor, the benefits of therapy don’t happen overnight. It is a process.
Vision counselling and Psychology has a team of experienced psychologists and counsellors who work with individuals, families, and couples in Perth.
Vision can help you to find a therapist in your locality. You are welcome to book an appointment and choose a therapist that caters best to your individual needs.
