Admitting that you need help is a brave step. Once you’ve made the decision to reach out, it’s important to take time to find the right professional for you. You will need someone you feel you can connect with and trust with your innermost thoughts and feelings. Here are some tips to consider.
1- Ask Friends and Family
Ask friends or family who are in therapy if they can recommend someone. This is usually the first source people reach out to. Just be sure they will be supportive and not intrusive. Ask if they like their therapist. If they do, find out what it is they like about them.
You can get there from here.
See if the therapist you are interested in offers free consultations. This provides an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a general “feel” of the therapist. Afterwards, assess how comfortable you felt, if you felt the therapist was sincere, and if you feel you could be honest without feeling judged or criticized.
3- Consider the Kind of Help You Need
If you’re suffering from ailments like panic attacks, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or relationship troubles, look for a clinical psychologist or social worker rather than a psychiatrist. At The Bridge Therapy Center, we specialize in anxiety, depression and couples therapy.
4- Get to Know the Therapist
Set aside a bit of time to read through each of your therapist profiles. Opening up is never easy, so as much as possible you want to be looking for a therapist who instinctively inspires that feeling of comfort in you. You can learn more about us here.
5- Take the Time to Read Testimonials
Reading what other people have to say about a psychologist can provide insight into how he or she practices psychology. You can learn about how well patients trust the psychologist, how much time he or she spends with their patients, and how well he or she answers questions. Read what our clients have to say here.
Need Help? We Can Help.
Deciding to seek help is a huge step. It takes a lot of courage. Take the time and do the research to find the therapist that’s right for you.
This post was written by Lani Gouws on behalf of The Bridge Therapy Center. If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Lani here: lani@bridgecentertherapy.com