How To Choose A Psychologist That Is Right For You? 7 Keys That Will Help You
What aspects should we take into account when choosing our psychologist? What factors will be decisive for your therapy to be appropriate? Discover how to find your psychologist.
Choose a good psychologist For us, that is, for a professional who adapts to our needs, it can be quite a challenge. In fact, an important part of choosing a psychologist is precisely trying to find the one with whom we feel very connected. However, the effort of finding a good psychologist for us can be very beneficial since it involves helping us develop skills and confidence to deal with different mental health problems. But what are the keys to choosing a psychologist that is right for us?
For find a psychologist that suits your needs and challenges, you can take into account the following:
Think about your goals in advance: Before look for a psychologist, it is important to understand what you want to change or solve, as well as the problem that is affecting you. With these points clear, it is important that you go to a professional who is a specialist in these areas. Additionally, having an idea of those areas you would like to improve can help your therapist as well.
Plan your expenses: It is important that you understand that you must have money reserved for therapy so that it can be planned based on what your psychologist decides. This professional will make a recommendation about how many sessions you will need and how often you should attend. Therefore, you must reserve an amount of money to be able to follow the instructions of a professional.
Take into account the ratings: Recommendations from other patients can help you find an ideal psychologist for you Above all, look at those reviews that focus on those aspects that interest you most.
Ask about what matters to you: Asking the specialist before going can be very beneficial, as it will allow you understand how the psychologist works, as well as any doubts or questions that may arise during the selection process. Some questions that can help you find a psychologist are: What is your specialization? What type of therapy do you practice? Do you have experience working with people in similar situations?
Pay attention to how you feel talking or interacting with the therapist: Despite the experience or studies of a professional, the most important thing is how you feel interacting with this psychologist. Your own feelings of trust and comfort are a priority when seeing a therapist. Even so, you should keep in mind that if you feel uncomfortable from time to time this is completely normal in a psychology consultation because on many occasions it is likely that you will end up talking about topics that are difficult for you.
Choose the type of therapy: Another point to keep in mind when you are looking for a psychology professional It is precisely to understand or have an idea of the different therapy approaches you may have. When considering types of therapies, you should try to find one that aligns with your goals. Some of the most common therapies are: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychoanalytic therapy, among others.
Try the first sessions: Many psychologists offer a free first session to have a first experience with the patient. This first meeting can help you determine if he is really the right therapist and above all to understand how he works and if you feel comfortable with this specialist.
These are some of the tips that can help you find the psychologist that best suits your problem and personality.
What to avoid when looking for a psychologist?
There are some signs that should give you a warning about whether the therapist is right for you:
Therapists who specialize in everything: A good psychologist tends to specialize in a specific field of psychology, so when one professional focuses on everything, it may be a bad choice if you need a specialist in very specific areas to address your problems.
They suggest a quick ‘cure’: No matter what mental health problem or condition you are facing, therapy is not about a quick fix. In fact, these treatments are often challenging and progress in many cases ends up being slow and non-linear.
Lack of limits: In many cases, you will have the final say on certain aspects. So if a professional crosses this line, it may be a red line that you should not tolerate.
You don’t feel good with them: As we have mentioned, an important part of therapy is feeling comfortable with the professional who is treating you. So, if you do not feel respected or understood by the psychologist, this is a sign that you should not ignore.
As we see, find a therapist that’s right for you It may take some time, but it is worth the effort, as this will help you better deal with the problems for which you seek this treatment.
