It might be difficult to find the perfect therapist. It might seem like you’re entrusting your mental health to someone, so how can you pick someone who will take the greatest care of you?
The most important thing to consider is whether or not someone is a suitable match for your requirements. Spend some time thinking about your therapeutic objectives and motives. What are you hoping to improve or change? What challenges or problems do you wish to address? If you don’t know, don’t worry; you’ll find it out after you start seeing your therapist.
Who do you feel the most at ease with?
Your therapist is, first and foremost, a human being. One of the most crucial things in therapy is your bond with that individual – the “therapeutic relationship.” and we all find it simpler to form connections with certain individuals than others. Here are a few things you should think about:
Gender
Some individuals find it easier to speak up about their sentiments to someone of a certain gender.
Orientation or sexual identity
If you are a member of the lgbtq+ community, you may feel more at ease with a therapist who is also a member of that group. Finding an LGBTQ-friendly therapist is essential if nothing else.
Religion
Some therapists are trained to provide treatment from religious or spiritual viewpoints.
Culture, ethnicity, and race
In an ideal world, all therapists would be culturally competent, and able to grasp the specific challenges that persons from minority groups or various cultures experience. But, at the end of the day, it makes sense to put your faith in someone who shares your cultural heritage.
Language
If English is your second language, chatting with someone who speaks your native language may be beneficial.
At the same time, it is important to have an open mind. Nobody can ever really comprehend your predicament. Any therapist you meet with will rely on empathy (being able to put oneself in your position) as least as much as any similar history. Most therapists don’t speak much about themselves anyhow – that’s not why you’re there in the first place.
Various types of therapists
“Therapist” is a wide word that might be misleading since it can refer to a variety of professions, including social workers and counselors. A therapist is essentially anybody who is licensed to conduct treatment. Even if your plan includes any sort of mental health expert, it may be beneficial to understand what distinguishes each one.
Psychologist
Psychologists are educated to make a diagnosis as well as to give individual and group treatment. They give treatment, but since they have PhDs from an accredited/designated psychology degree, some of them also perform mental testing, research, and consulting.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who has received additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. A psychiatrist may prescribe medicine, but he or she does not generally give treatment to patients.
Worker in social services
A social worker is a counselor who has completed a master’s degree program in social work. They are often educated to make diagnoses, conduct individual and group therapy, as well as case management and advocacy in a hospital environment.
What should you do now that you know what kind of therapist would best suit your needs? Read our post on how to locate a therapist near me for additional information. If you do not have insurance, there are several low-cost treatment choices.