Before reading about the process of therapy and how to choose a therapist, take a few moments to review the following "Ten Good Reasons for Seeking Therapy":
- You feel sad much of the time, despite your efforts to feel better
- Tension, anxiety, or excessive worry is part of your everyday life
- There are problems in your important relationships
- You don't feel as though you are living up to your personal and professional potential
- Your ability to focus and perform at work suffers
- Thoughts of guilt, hopelessness or low self-esteem are persistent or intrusive
- There are changes in your usual behavior, such as withdrawal from others, increased drinking or aggressiveness
- You feel that your life is not as meaningful as you would like
- A medical cause for headaches, fatigue or other aches and pains has been ruled-out by your physician
- You want to better understand your emotions, behavior and relationships
(Endorsing one or more from the list may indicate that therapy can be helpful to you)
The Basics of Psychotherapy
"Psychotherapy" is a term used to describe the process of how a patient or client gains relief from emotional distress by talking with a therapist. Therapy allows an individual to discuss their feelings and thoughts in a safe, supportive, confidential environment. Because the focus during sessions is entirely on the client, therapy is very different from talking with a friend or family member. Psychotherapy is different from counseling, where advice is given about a particular subject. Instead, it is an opportunity for a client to become healthier by exploring their feelings, behavior, and thoughts with an objective professional.
Types of Therapy
There are many forms of therapy, each with a different emphasis. Some highlight interpersonal relationships or emotional experiences in order to help clients understand and change the reasons for their distress. Others accent how altering thoughts and behaviors help clients gain relief from symptoms. Although some problems respond best to a particular type of therapy (such as depression, phobias), no one style of therapy has been proven to be more effective than another. Having trust in one's therapist has been shown to be the best predictor of success in treatment.
Choosing a Psychologist
All doctoral level psychologists have had significant graduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems (five to seven years post-college). Psychologists are well versed in providing treatment which has been validated by scientific research. They assist clients in examining and changing problematic areas of their lives using psychotherapy. Psychologists should not be confused with Psychiatrists (medical doctors specializing in the treatment of mental illness) who typically treat emotional problems with medication.
When choosing a psychologist, licensure is an important credential. In most states psychologists must have a doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) in clinical or counseling psychology to qualify for licensure. Membership in one's professional organization is generally a sign that the therapist has adopted a code of ethics in their professional practice. Experience treating problems similar to those you've encountered is also important in the selection of a psychologist. All other things being equal (such as competence, experience, training), it is the match between client and psychologist that determines a successful experience in therapy. This means finding a psychologist who respects you and is genuinely interested in helping you.
What to Ask When Contacting a Therapist
In addition to inquiring about credentials, training, and professional membership you may also wish to ask about a therapist's area of expertise. Knowing whether a therapist prefers working with individuals, groups, adults or children will be helpful in choosing a therapist who is right for you. You should also ask about fees, insurance coverage, billing arrangements, and how to contact the therapist in an emergency since every therapist handles these issues differently.
Many clients are interested in knowing how long they will remain in therapy, so you may want to ask about the average length of treatment. Questions about appointment times and the expected frequency of sessions are also appropriate. While the therapist will not be able to give exact responses to some of these inquiries, he or she should be able to offer a general response based on past experience.
Because therapy involves the discussion of personal life issues, feeling comfortable with a professional you trust is the most important consideration in choosing a therapist. Feel free to ask questions or request a consultation session to ensure that you are confident with your choice.