When it comes to therapy, many people have a lot of knowledge about the various therapeutic modalities (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, solution-focused therapy) and their effectiveness.
One element of therapy that is often overlooked, and that plays an important role in the outcome of therapy, is the therapeutic relationship.
The therapeutic relationship refers to the close and consistent relationship established between a patient and a therapist, and is the foundation that everything else in therapy is built on. The importance of the therapeutic relationship is illustrated by the fact that it accounts for 30% of the curative factors in therapy.
Like all relationships, there will be therapists that one will “click” with better, and others that one will not feel as much of a natural affinity. Therefore, considering the positive correlation between a good therapeutic relationship and successful therapy, it is important for anyone looking for a therapist to take the time to “shop around” and find a therapist that is right for them.
Most if not all therapists provide free consultations, Utilize this opportunity to speak to the therapist and get a sense of their style, their personality, and whether or not you find yourself enjoying your interaction with them! Therapy is a high tailored process and finding the right fit of person is sometimes if not always even more important than finding the right therapeutic modality!
So to answer the question, How do I find the right therapist for me? Here are some places to start!
1) Consult online therapist directories
Do an online search to find therapist directories. Therapist directories will often let you filter based on education, treatment speciality, experience, and location.
Some Popular Directories out there:
2) Referrals from your doctor
Your family doctors is a good place to start when seeking a therapist. If fact it is often during a physical health
checkup that people realize their struggles are mental health related.
3) Ask someone you trust
Recommendations from a friend, colleague, or family member can be helpful. However, you will need to keep in mind that due to professional ethics and confidentiality requirements, you won’t be able to see the same therapist as a close friend or family member.
4) Insurance directory
If you have insurance, your insurance provider will likely have a directory of therapists who accept your insurance.
Some examples:
5) Professional associations
Professional associations often maintain directories of members with credentials in good standing.
Some examples:
6) Therapist consultations
At the end of the day, through your search, the most important factor to not skip out on when finding the right therapist is consultations! Most if not all therapists provide free 15- 20 minute consultations!
Utilize this opportunity to speak to the therapist and get a sense of their style, their personality, and whether or not you find yourself enjoying your interaction with them! Therapy is a high tailored process and finding the right fit of person is sometimes if not always even more important than finding the right therapeutic modality! Take your time and be patient in your search, don’t settle on a therapist until you feel like you’ve gotten all the information you need to make the right choice for you. Know that you have the power and right to work with someone that will listen to you fully and be willing to work collaboratively in your goals and issues.
At Your Story Counselling Services, our team offers a diverse range of therapist and therapeutic models. Our team offers a wide range of services and provides a safe and collaborative space for you to freely talk about what is on your mind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnRVECiDZwk&ab_channel=InfoYourStoryCounsellingServices (Please EMBED THIS VIDEO)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lynda Keung, MACP (In Progress), RP (Qualifying)
Lynda is currently completing her Master’s in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University and is a qualifying registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. As a psychotherapist, Lynda is passionate about supporting the needs and making therapy accessible to people from diverse cultures. Lynda places great value in each person’s uniqueness as an individual and believes in the importance of accounting for individual differences throughout the therapeutic process to better support her clients.