In Session - Notes from the Couch

I have received many messages from members of DailyStrength asking me how they should go about finding a therapist. If you have made the decision to seek counseling, it is important to be diligent about your research on your choice of practitioner. Not all therapists are created equal.

Therapists typically have particular fields of expertise or interest (for example, specialties in working with couples or children), and, as with any profession, the field of psychology has both reputable and less than ethical members. Unfortunately, often when therapists are portrayed on television or in the movies, they are engaged in unethical behavior for entertainment value. But this is certainly the exception and not the rule. As with other resources you may seek out, a personal referral from someone you trust is usually the best place to start. That trusted individual may be a friend, colleague, or your doctor.

It is important to keep in mind that one size does not fit all, which means that not every therapist is right for every person even if they are a good and qualified practitioner. You need to look for a "good fit," someone with whom you feel some sense of connectedness and a sense that this person is someone who can relate to you and understand you, or at least is striving to do so. Some clients are not easy to relate to and may be dealing with any number of impediments to effective communication, including anger and repressed emotions. If you feel that you may be someone who is dealing with such issues, it is important to give the therapist an opportunity to get to know you. Try not to prejudge or rush to a conclusion about your therapist in the first session. I recommend that unless you have an immediate aversion to the person, that you allow at least 2 or 3 sessions to see how the relationship develops.

Financial concerns will often dictate who you are able to see for treatment. If you have insurance coverage for psychotherapy, check the insurer's lists of covered providers and, at the very least, interview them on the phone before making a commitment. Just because your insurance company chooses to include a therapist on its list of preferred providers does not mean they will be right for you. You can also ask potential therapists if they would be willing to meet briefly for a free consultation; many will be happy to oblige to insure that it is a good fit for both parties.

An excellent avenue for seeking low fee counseling is to see an intern which is someone who is in the process of getting licensed. This may sound unappealing but can be quite beneficial to the client because an intern must be supervised by experienced psychotherapists and the intern's clients can benefit greatly because of this supervision. In this case you will often have a team of experienced therapists behind the scenes helping your therapist navigate the process and offering you valuable resources as you go. You can find interns at community counseling centers, colleges and universities in their psychology programs. They will typically work on a sliding scale basis so you pay what you can afford. Don't be afraid to ask the therapist about his or her education and training and, if you do have concerns, you can check with a therapist's professional licensing board (each state has one) to determine if there are any disciplinary actions against them. Hopefully the relationship you have with your therapist will be one of trust and mutual respect which will help guide you on your journey of personal growth.