CHOOSING A THERAPIST

Firstly… #WELCOME!

You may find that deciding to start your therapeutic journey can be a stressful and anxious time and the reality that you may also be carrying a burden or experiencing an emotional state that is hard to bear can create an added difficultly in taking steps towards that first phone call, text or email.

Many people find that making contact and attending a counsellor for the first time takes courage. You may find yourself over talking and saying a lot or unable to say anything at all. Either of these responses are normal and your anxiety will ease with time as you and the therapist get to know each other. It’s a really good idea to remember to breathe, take pauses and allow yourself plenty of time to arrive before a session.

FIRST CONSULTATION

In the first consultation you can ask the therapist any questions you like about their training, methods and experience. They will also want to know a little bit about your reasons for coming to see them. It’s a good idea to feel into how much you want to share at this initial meeting as some people have the experience of oversharing and can feel exhausted, depleted and vulnerable afterwards. Creating the space and environment you need to feel safe may take a few sessions or longer. Alternatively you might find it hard to say much at all and that is absolutely fine too.

HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS THERAPIST IS RIGHT FOR ME?

You might ask yourself how you will know if you have found the right therapist for you and I think that the answer depends upon trusting your intuition.  If you have the time and energy it’s good to give yourself the gift of choice. So if after a few sessions, you feel that you and the therapist do not have an adequate connection or something in you is uncomfortable with the match then you could consider seeing if there is someone else available.

TRUST

Looking for the potential of certain basic key qualities in the relationship can be useful.

A basic checklist could be:

Do I feel a level of trust developing here?

Do I feel respected and heard?

Do I feel that I am being treated like an equal?

If the answer is yes to these questions then I would feel as though we were starting on the right track.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

There may also be some energetic qualities, personality styles, techniques and ways of working that you find sits better with you than others. Your therapist should be able to help you with this investigation and may be able to refer you on to someone else if you decide you need something other than what they can offer.

#newtotherapy #choosingatherapist #righttherapistforme #courage #makingcontact #counselling #therapist #mindfulnesspsychotherapy