Choosing the right therapist is an important decision. What should you look for in a therapist? How do you decide who is right? Are you comfortable? These are all fundamental questions you should ask yourself and research before committing to sitting down with someone regularly.
Getting Started
If you’re searching online for a therapist, going through online profiles, checking out websites, and reading the reviews, how do you determine who is a good fit for you? Take the time to narrow down your needs and what you’re looking to talk about. Answer these questions and base your search on that.
- Does it matter if they are male or female therapists?
- Do you want a therapist who is older or younger?
- Have they got the proper credentials?
- What do they specialize in compared to what you need?
The most crucial factor is that you are comfortable with your therapist because you will open up to them. If your comfort level with them is low, you won’t open up your innermost thoughts and feelings, which is counterproductive to your desire to sit down and work through those things.
Narrow your search
Narrow your search down and find a therapist who specializes in what you need. You’re probably wondering, “How do I know what type of therapist I need?” You can get many different therapy types; try researching different therapy kinds and find what most fits your needs. Some common types of therapy are Behavioral, Cognitive, Family, Child, and Couples therapy.
Ask questions
To get started, make a list of potential therapists you are interested in contacting. Next, call them, they will typically ask you questions or fill out a questionnaire. Great therapists are honest and if they don’t think they are right for you and will say so, they may even point you in a different direction. It’s about getting you the best help. If the therapist offers a free consult, take the opportunity to ask them questions. Consider asking these:
- Are they licensed?
- Which kind of training have they received?
- Do they have treatment orientation?
- What is their expertise or specialty?
- What is the cost of their services and acceptable insurance?
If you want to get therapy, pat yourself on the back. You’re brave enough to look into bettering yourself and work on feeling better. Ultimately, it can be tough finding a therapist who is the right fit for you, but with research, you are well on your way to getting the help you need. The internet is full of information to help you on your journey, research until you feel comfortable.
If you would like to speak to someone from our practice please reach out to us at 720-583-9332 or email us at info@mountianvistapsychology.com.
Dr. Steffanie Stecker a licensed psychologist and the owner and clinical director of Mountain Vista Psychology, PLLC.
In addition, she is a board certified neurotherapist (BCN E5669) and board certified in QEEG (QEEG-D). Less than 100 people world wide are board certified in QEEG, which indicates competency in reading QEEGs and choosing neurofeedback protocols. Dr. Stecker is passionate about brain based effective therapy and creating a safe relationship for her clients to create change. She loves what she gets to do each day!