There are so many therapists to pick from and many different therapy styles!
But how do you find the right therapist for you?
Research shows that the outcomes of psychotherapy have less to do with what type of therapy is used in the session, and EVERYTHING to do with how connected you feel to that person. Even though there are best practice guidelines for which modality is best for which issues, look first for that connection, and second for the right skill set.
A few tips I recommend when looking for a therapist:
- Look for someone whose personality is pleasant to you. You will be spending a lot of time with this person and want to look forward to your meetings. This may mean you want someone who is very direct and honest, or someone that is more soft and warm. Either way, think about who you get along with best in your life and find a therapist similar in style.
- Consider what specialized training the therapist has. Have they received education about the issue you struggle with? Have they done extra certifications? Ask them what approach they use. We know that there are those who practice from a psychodynamic model, a behavioral model, a client-centered approach, plus more. Ask the therapist what their approach means to them and how they use it.
- Give the therapy a chance to grow on you. Don’t give up after one session. Make sure to commit to weekly sessions at least 3-4 times before deciding that this therapist is not for you. This is generally how long it takes for a therapist to get to know you and understand your concerns. It’s a slow and gradual process that evolves with time, so don’t give up too quickly.
At Dynamic Health, we take matching our clients with the right therapist very seriously. In fact, if you meet with someone once and know for sure it’s not going to work for you – we credit you a free session with someone else. The first step for all our new clients is to book a complimentary 30 minute intake call with our Care Manager to discuss your needs and for a comprehensive body-mind-relationship assessment to take place. This is how we best tailor our recommendation to your unique needs.
And don’t forget to check out our therapy team – maybe there’s someone who stands out to you.
Leah Weisberg, RN BScN BC-NC
Leah is a Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse, Psychotherapist and Founder & CEO at Dynamic Health Collaborative. She is passionate about providing mental health services that consider one’s mind, body and relationships. In addition to providing private emotion-focused psychotherapy services, Leah teaches mindfulness classes, leads a team of over a dozen practitioners at her clinic, and collaborates with organizations on creating awareness of emotional and mental health concerns. She can be reached by emailing [email protected]