How To Choose A Therapist For Myself? 

As psychotherapy / counseling services are becoming more and more accepted by our society, a lot of people realized that they can reap many benefits in therapy like emotional clearance, coming to terms with the past, gaining ownership in one’s major decision or even improving relationship with loved ones, etc.

However, before they start this growth-promoting journey, a significant question regarding choice of a therapist concerns them. I forgot how many times people came up to me, asking “Christine, how can I find the therapist that really fits me?”.

Well, as a matter of fact, this is a million-dollar question. Today, let’s decode the matching project step and step.

First, knowledge of your own preference about generic aspects helps narrow down your search. Therapists differ in age, gender, racial/ethnic background, language capacity, religious belief, fees, availability, location, and even physical appearance. It’s no-brainer that a client with limited English proficiency would want a therapist who is fluent in client’s home language in clinical setting. Or a therapist who offers services out of your price range may not be your first choice.      

Second, find out if your therapist’s treating philosophy is consistent with yours. For example, some people would love to move to short term solutions straight after identifying unhelpful thinking patterns ( all-or-nothing thinking; personalization, etc.) while others may be more drawn to sorting out thoughts and feelings for deeper understanding of historic roots of their suffering. 

This is more like one person prefers mowing the lawn regularly while another leans toward uprooting the weed in the garden. Which one is better? Actually, it is fair to say that both approaches have their places and beauty. What matters is that you and your therapist are on the same page about this fundamental aspect of treatment. For more details about various schools of treating philosophy, please refer to my posts in September and October – “What Does Psychotherapy Look like, Part I & Part II?”  

Third, use your gut feelings to determine if your therapist demonstrates professionalism through their interaction with you as a client.  By professionalism we mean whether your therapist can respect your treatment and have your best interest in mind.

Simply put, there are some criteria you can compare your prospective therapist against.

---How punctual is this person to start and end your sessions?

---Is s/he capable of unconditional acceptance without imposing his/her value/beliefs onto you?

---Can s/he sit with your experience, perspectives or even disagreement by encouraging honest and respectful communication without being punitive?

---Do you feel heard?

--- Is s/he willing to put your treatment needs ahead of the need to secure your favor and business?

--- Does s/he uphold professional boundary due to the power differential inherent in therapist-patient relationship? For example, having a personal relationship with a current client is indicative of unethical and unprofessional behaviors on the part of the therapist.  

This list can go on and on. For many first-time users of mental health services, this may sound very cumbersome. Luckily, gut feelings can be our best guide at critical moments as to inform us if someone truly hears and respects us as well as has our best interest in mind.  

All right, I think this can give you some ideas about looking for a therapist of your choice. If you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to share it. I see you next month. J

© Minjun (Christine) Wang 2016 Liberty Psychotherapy Professional Clinical Counselor, Inc.