The process of commencing therapy can be daunting, especially when you’re at your most vulnerable. Here are some factors you may want to take into consideration when seeking a therapist.
Safety
The most important question to ask yourself is “do I feel safe?” when seeing a therapist. Finding someone who you feel comfortable with is paramount when searching for a therapist, especially when dealing with not so pleasant emotions. Rapport is one of the most significant factors when developing any relationship, so it’s important to find someone who is warm, approachable and on the same wavelength as you.
Research
Word of mouth is always a good way of finding a therapist. Your GP is a good starting point as they are familiar with the services in the area and receive feedback on therapists from other clients in their practice. Family and friends are also good for word of mouth recommendations. Don’t be afraid to do online research to find a therapist’s qualifications, what services they provide and potential costs and rebates.
Feeling understood
Greater rapport is built when you and your therapist are speaking the same language. This may mean that you pick a therapist based on gender or ethnicity due to culturally sensitive matters. Finding someone who specialises in the area you’re seeking help in, such as eating disorders, means that your therapist has a greater understanding of the issues you’re dealing with. The aim is to work as a team to come up with a clear and defined plan of how your therapist can help you during this difficult time.
Listening
A good therapist understands both your spoken and unspoken words. This means sitting comfortably in your silences and not taking over the conversation. Their aim is to guide you to find answers yourself and give advice, not tell you what to do.
Progression in therapy
Therapy is about gaining tools to make changes in your thought or behavioural patterns. If you feel that progression isn’t occurring in your therapy, it’s time to evaluate whether the therapist is right for you (or if you’re actively participating).
The pressure to return
Depending on the circumstances, therapy can be a long term process. When the time feels right to move on from a therapist, it should be judgement free and with the option of returning whenever you feel necessary. A good therapist should be open with you about a time frame and demonstrate flexibility on how frequently you see them depending on your progress and circumstances such as finances.
Variety of services
Finding a therapist who offers a variety of services can be useful, especially for those who live in areas less accessible to mental health services. Not all therapy has to be face to face – BodyMatters offers therapy via Skype, meaning clients have the ability to access us from all over the country.
Don’t settle
Trust your gut! It takes a lot of time and energy to muster up the courage to attend therapy, so you shouldn’t settle. If you’re feeling that you and your therapist aren’t meshing, it’s time to move on. This may mean it takes seeing more than one therapist to find the right fit for you.
If you’re looking at getting an appointment with one of our therapists at BodyMatters, why not check out their profiles here to see who is right for you!
