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Finding The Right Therapist For You
by Carol Campbell, M.A., LMFT and
Nancy Farrar, M.S., LMFT
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The process of finding a therapist can be highly anxiety producing.
Frequently when people decide they would benefit from seeing a therapist,
they are experiencing significant upset in their lives - not the ideal
moment to be dealing with the stress involved in finding someone with whom
it feels safe and right to be vulnerable. All sorts of people may hold
themselves out as competent professionals to assist with emotional and
mental issues, but, just as in any field, discrimination is called for. A
sweet personality is no guarantee of ethical or effective skills, and a
therapist who is just perfect for one person may not be a good fit for the
next. One size does not fit all!
By following these tips, the psychotherapy consumer can greatly increase the
probability of finding a therapist who will help the client reach his/her
therapy goals in a highly satisfactory manner:
THE SEARCH FOR NAMES
Word of mouth is a good starting place. If someone you know and respect has
had good success with a particular therapist, it is possible that you might,
too.
Referrals from other professionals are a good bet. Doctors, lawyers, massage
therapists, clergy, teachers, etc. often hear about the work of therapists
and can assist in your search.
Remember that virtually anyone can take out an advertisement or create a
website. But a professional who bothers to participate in his/her
professional organization is demonstrating an investment in being affiliated
with colleagues who strive to uphold high standards of care. For example,
Marriage and Family Therapists in California are likely to be members of the
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT).
All therapists listed on CAMFT∂s website are members in good standing. Take
a look at www.therapistfinder.com. You can search there for a therapist by
name or location and also by treatment modality and by clinical issues.
QUALIFICATIONS
Before interviewing a therapist, be familiar with the various options
available. In California, and most other states, the law requires that
anyone providing professional services to diagnose and treat mental
disorders must be licensed, or be in pursuit of a license and working under
the supervision of a licensed clinician. All licensed clinicians in
California have passed rigorous state exams and are required to regularly
complete continuing education. These are the pertinent licensed professions
in California:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, also known simply as MFTs or LMFTs,
are clinicians with a minimum of a master's degree in psychology, clinical
psychology, counseling psychology or marriage & family therapy. They are
trained to understand family systems, and they work with individual adults
and children, couples, families, or groups. MFTs generally focus on
assisting the client/patient to achieve more satisfying relationships in
their lives, thereby alleviating the emotional or mental issue that bring
them to therapy. The underlying assumption is that psychic or emotional pain
is rooted in relationship troubles, either current or from the family of
origin.
Licensed Clinical Social Workers have a minimum of master's degree, and are
skilled in matching individuals and families with social services. They
often work in hospitals, clinics, and agencies, but may also work as
therapists in private practice.
Psychologists have a doctoral degree in psychology, or clinical psychology.
Psychologists often have advanced training in research methods, testing of
brain functioning, learning disabilities, and other aspects of psychology.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with advanced training that allows them to
prescribe psychotropic medications, i.e., medicines to treat emotional or
mental problems. Some psychiatrists only prescribe medications, and some do
talk therapy as well. They frequently collaborate with the other professions
to manage medications while another type of therapist does the talk therapy.
INTERVIEWING A POTENTIAL THERAPIST
Interview more than one possible therapist, and be wary of any therapist who
discourages this idea. No one therapist is ideal for everyone.
Tell the therapist what you are wanting from therapy. Notice what
happens then. Do you come away feeling as if the therapist heard you and
responded appropriately?
Inquire as to the potential therapist's education, training, licensure
status, and membership in a professional organization for that license. You
may check online with the appropriate licensing board to see if the
therapist is licensed, and if there has been any disciplinary action taken
against the license.
Ask the therapist what it is that happens in his/her office that helps one
feel better. In other words, ask what is the therapist's theoretical
orientation. Does the therapist focus on helping to change how you think
(cognitive therapy)? Does she/he focus on working with the unconscious
(psychodynamic therapy)? No single approach to therapy has been proven more
effective than any other, and hundreds of approaches have been developed.
Many therapists assert that problems you have had for a long time are more
likely to require longer term treatment, while you can get relief fairly
quickly with short-term treatment for a recently developed problem.
Notice how you feel in the presence of the therapist. Is this someone you
can imagine seeing repeatedly and feeling respected by and comfortable with?
Does the therapist pay attention to you? Is he/she too distant? Too cold?
Too effusive? Sufficiently empathic? Too sure of herself/himself? Is she/he
defensive about your questions? Does the office have an atmosphere that is
appealing to you? Regardless of a therapist's training or philosophy, the
therapist/client relationship is largely what determines whether you will
think the therapy is effective or not.
Is the therapist experienced in working with issues similar to yours?
While it is certainly not necessary for a therapist to have personally
experienced whatever you are going through, you need some reassurance that
what you are bringing to the table is not beyond the scope of competence of
the therapist.
YOUR EXPECTATIONS
Therapist's have a duty to tell you before you begin treatment how much the
services will cost. Fees vary widely according to expertise and market
factors, including whether the therapy is offered through an agency or in
private practice, and whether a third party payor is involved (insurance).
Therapist's often offer treatment agreements that address what you can
expect from the therapy, how to get help in emergency situations, the limits
of confidentiality, etc.
An ethical therapist will uphold clear professional boundaries. Generally
speaking, therapy is best served when the therapist does not have more than
one kind of relationship with a client. For example, therapists do not treat
their own relatives, close friends, or people with whom they have another
personal, professional or business relationship. Under no circumstances is
it appropriate for a therapist to have a romantic relationship with a client
in treatment. A good question to ask a prospective therapist is how he
understands and observes professional boundaries.
ASK QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY
As an informed consumer, you should ask the therapist questions throughout
your treatment about the process of therapy. You have a right to know what
is happening and why.
In summary, choosing a therapist right for you calls for common sense. This
article has outlined some simple ways to minimize the hassle and maximize
your satisfaction. Resources abound in your own neighborhood and on the
internet to help you find a good match. Do yourself a favor by advocating
for yourself when it's time to find a therapist. The results will be worth
the time and energy invested.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where should I look to find a good therapist?
Ask for a recommendation from someone who has had a good experience.
Get a referral from your doctor, attorney, clergy, etc.
Go to www.therapistfinder.com to search for a therapist near you who is
licensed in California and who currently belongs to the world∂s largest
professional organization for MFTs, the California Association of Marriage
and Family Therapists (CAMFT).
It is a fact that therapists who are members of professional
organizations have fewer disciplinary actions than those who are not
members.
Is it OK to say I am shopping for a therapist?
Absolutely! Interview several.
Be wary about the therapist who dismisses the idea of you interviewing
more than one.
Many therapists will expect payment for initial interview.
How much will therapy cost me?
Many healthcare plans cover treatment for mental disorders; plans vary
widely.
Private practice fees will vary according to the clinician's location,
expertise, and level of experience.
Work done by a registered intern under the supervision of a licensed
clinician may be more economical.
What should I ask the potential therapist?
Inquire about the therapist's training, licensure status, and ongoing
education.
Ask what it is that the therapist does that is supposed to be helpful. How
is this different from how other therapists work? What should you expect?
Does the therapist have a treatment agreement? This should cover fees,
appointments, cancellation policy, limits of confidentiality, termination
procedure, etc.
What should I ask myself?
What do I hope to gain from therapy? Can this therapist help me do that?
Am I comfortable with this therapist? Would I like to come back?
Remember: The most important factor in securing effective therapy is a good
relationship between you and your therapist.
Did the therapist assure me that he/she is qualified to help me with
whatever it is that is bringing me to seek therapy at this time?
Will therapy work for me?
Research supports therapists' assertions that therapy works.
Many report relief from depression, anxiety, relationship problems,
and other common complaints.
Many also report seeking therapy as a means of personal growth and
exploration.
Developing a therapeutic relationship with an individual trained in
assisting others to find their own answers and solutions is a path to
change-that is well-documented in the professional literature.
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Now that you have some idea of what you are looking for and how to find it, if you would like to do some searching online,
you can use the websites listed below to take a look around.
Therapistfinder.com -
Find a California therapist now, by city and zip code or by specialization.
Counselingbook.com
Counselingbook.com is a community resource for services related to mental health and emotional wellbeing. Counseling Services,
Psychotherapy Services can be searched by location or zip code.
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