What should I be looking for in a psychotherapist?
Take time to get to know your counselor before committing to therapy with them, and try to avoid making decisions based solely on financial concerns alone. Ask the counselor what you can expect in your work with them, and for them to explain the theories they use in their work. It's important that a counselor be able to defend their practices with research and demonstrated effectiveness, as this will have implications for how well your work with them will go. We also recommend getting a sense of the time frame your counselor operates under; do they favor a brief therapy model, or long term therapy? This will impact the financial considerations for your treatment. Lastly, and we think, most importantly, take this time conversing with your therapist to get a sense of their personality, and how it matches with your own. Are they empathetic and nurturing, or deliberate and direct? Perhaps they are a mixture of the two? Do you find them to be relaxed and non directive, or more regimented and precise? Such considerations will help you to ensure that you and your therapist fit well together in the work you conduct.
