Topic: counseling-fundamentals

Question: How would I know if I have the right therapist?
How do you know you have the right therapist for you?
 How would I know how to "train" my therapist to be able to give me what I need from treatment?

Answer (from Jim Ciraky PhD., LPCExpert Anxiety Counselor):
A colleague and I were discussing the characteristics of successful
therapists. I gave him some traits, some of which were listed by
Robinson (2012). The therapist should be able to listen to your story,
build rapport, establish a relationship, demonstrate empathy, adapt
treatments to the client/situation, use effective communication skills,
exhibit confidence in use of therapeutic techniques, and repeatedly
update skills with ongoing education and research.
You should talk with the therapist. In addition to asking the
therapist about his/her experiences and specialty in treating the issue
you want to address; you will gain a sense of the therapist’s ability to
connect with you in your first phone call or meeting with him/her. This
is why I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation. You can use the
above criteria to gauge the therapist’s ability to do the following:
Hear you, join with you in understanding the issue, and indicate some
ways in which the issue may be treated.
I specialize treating anxiety and relationships and would like to
talk with you if you have questions about how I may be able to help you.
Jim

Answer (from Dr Traci KochendorferTime for you to " Claim IT" with over 15 years in health and wellness, Ph.D Psy.D D.D. F.P.L.C. recognized on TV and Magazines,):
As we all need coaches and everyone including all of us on here had one or still does cause it is about your desire to be the best you can in your life goals.  People you connect with come into your life based on desire or a manifestation.  You will know once you have a few sessions with them and once you achieve you might move on to another expert.

Answer (from Fred RogersQue Sera Sera Counseling ):
If you are not able to build a rapport even after many sessions, thats when you will know that the therapist is not right for you. Also, you dont have to train the therapist regarding the treatment plan. The therapist alone cannot decide what's needed for the client without client taking the driver seat !

Answer (from Kaleb Thorshov):
There is no such thing as a therapist that is "right" for someone. Outside of getting a "bad" therapist who shouldn't be in the industry almost any counselor should be able to make the appropriate choices. Remember counseling is a process, you and the therapist work together for the common goal of your mental health. The best way to train them for what you need is to communicate. "What you said last time was really helpful", "I don't think this homework is something I'm ready to commit to". "I like learning more about skills" or "I just have a lot on my mind this session and I really just want to be heard".

Answer (from Jennifer Jenkins-BoitnottEMDRIA Approved Consultant & Certified EMDR Therapist):
Finding the right therapist means finding one that feels like a good fit for your needs in therapy and your personality style. The therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in therapy being successful or beneficial. When you have found a good fit, that means -  you feel comfortable with the therapist, feel you have a connection with the therapist as a person, think that they will be someone you are able to open up to, feel that they may be someone you can trust to help you through therapy, and that has experience in the clinical areas that you are seeking treatment for.

Answer (from Dwight NormanHigh Quality Psychology):
The most important thing when looking for a therapist is the comfortability you have with that person. If you do not feel comfortable when your in session then it is more likely you have the wrong therapist for you.

Answer (from Michele RameyMRTherapy, LLC- Because Help Is One Of A Kind):
I love these questions! You will know you have the right therapist for you because you resonate with them and you feel better after each treatment. The second part to question two, is that first, you have to allow your therapist to learn about you and you have to be honest and open to their expertise. You are not paying for help from yourself, but you should be paying for someone who makes you feel better as well as someone who also looks past what you have been trying to get or what you think you need from therapy because hopefully they give you a new perspective of what you thought you needed, which is what we call an "aha moment." You will want to have those in your sessions. Because you are paying to decrease whatever the issue is, but also you are paying for getting better, or more confident in who you are or who you want to become!

Answer (from Philippe BowerHealing with Philippe):
The relationship between yourself and your therapist is one based on trust, respect, and understanding. The best way to determine if a therapist is right for you is to ask. Does this therapist respect my journey? Does this therapist respect me as a human? Does this therapist understand the unique factors contributing to my mental health? Do I trust the therapist with my most intimate details? If you find that any of these answers are no, you may want to talk with your therapist about your concerns. In the end, only you are able to determine if your therapist is a great fit for your personal needs.

Answer (from Eric Rhinehart, LMFT, LAADC, CCMI-M, CIPER Interventions & Therapy Services):
Choosing the right therapist and finding the right fit is difficult.  There are many therapists from all walks of life that use different styles and modalities. I think the connection established between therapist and client is key to the entire therapeutic process and may require more than one session to truly feel out if one therapist is the right fit. It's important to feel comfortable around your therapist.  Try asking the therapist questions about their background history, credentials, experience in the field, etc., to truly get a gauge on what you think about starting this journey with this therapist.  You can view this as almost like you interviewing someone for a specific job and trying to find the best person and most qualified to address your needs. I find this has been helpful for my clients who choose to see me.  As we all know, therapists are ordinary people too with differing personalities. Taking the first step to participate in therapy takes courage, so go into it with an open mind and see if the connection happens organically and if it doesn't after a few sessions than it's ok to seek out another therapist. Feeling connected and safe is important in our work together as therapist and client. Remember it's not a sprint it's a marathon.

Answer (from Ashley BryantRestoring the mind, the couple, and the family.):
You will know when you have the right there is when you have been able to establish a trusting relationship with this person, there's a level of honesty and transparency within this relationship, and this person challenges you on different levels to come out of your comfort zone and to grow.