How do I choose the right therapist?
Whether it's your first experience of therapy or you’re returning after a break from it, choosing a therapist can be a daunting process. Because not only are there thousands of therapists out there, there are also many different types (modalities) of therapy. The choice can be so great that many feel overwhelmed by what’s on offer, and may be put off in the process. In this article I want to help simplify the language used and offer a few bits of advice so that this process might feel less daunting, so that you might have more chance of reaching a therapist that is right for you.
Types of therapy
Just to be clear, when I say ‘therapy’ I refer to talking therapy, most commonly once-weekly 50 minute sessions. That’s not to say that things like reiki, massage, hypnotherapy etc may not be helpful to you. But this article is to do with the sort of therapy that involves sitting in a room (or working online) talking to a therapist.
When you encounter an advert or website for a therapist, the chances are they will say somewhere in their blurb what kind of talking therapy they offer. If you have been searching already you will be familiar with seeing terms such as ‘integrative’, ‘psychodynamic’, ‘existential’, ‘person-centred’ and ‘Gestalt’. To find out more detail on the most common therapy modalities you can read this article. However, my advice would be to not get too caught up on thinking what modality is right for you. There is a lot of research-based evidence that the modality is not as important as simply finding a therapist you click with, someone you develop trust and understanding with, someone you feel really gets you. Research suggests that most therapists who get consistently good results display very similar techniques and ways of working, regardless of their modalities.
Qualifications and professional bodies
The terms therapist/counsellor/psychotherapist are not protected titles - that’s to say that in theory, anyone can give themselves these titles. Therefore I recommend using a therapist who has had not only adequate training and experience, but who abides by an ethical code that is designed to protect you, the client. The main bodies in the UK are the BACP and UKCP. Qualified therapists sign up to become members of these bodies and so you can assume if someone is registered with them they will meet what is considered a basic level of training and experience.
In terms of qualifications there are two main types - a masters (MSc/MA) is generally more involved/longer training than a diploma. One thing to consider is the term ‘fully qualified’, listed on many therapist’s sites. Someone who has a 2 year diploma can say they are ‘fully qualified’ just as much as someone with a 5 year MSc, yet the latter has a far more substantial training.
Human qualities
Aside from the type of therapy they are trained in and their qualifications, I believe you can find out a lot about someone simply in the way they present themselves. Are they to the point or long-winded? Is their picture rough and ready or well-polished? Although this is a written/pictoral medium, you can get a good feel for how someone might be simply from the way they show themselves to you.
Bottom line
Finding the therapist for you is to a large degree a case of try it and see. You can fit perfectly ‘on paper’ with someone, but it’s not until you start to work together that you find out if they will be able to help. I believe you will know within the first couple of sessions if they are right for you. Some therapists (me included) offer a free 20 minute introductory session so that you can see how it might feel to work with them. This is something I have found people are grateful for as booking in a first session only to find the therapist isn’t right is a costly thing to have to do.
To book an exploratory first session get in touch here.