I’ve had therapy myself, and I know that finding the right therapist can be an easy or tough process, especially with so many potential options available.
A bit like speed dating – therapists are just people – and with every person, you might click with them, and you might not. Here are some helpful tips on how to find the right therapist for you.
Step 1: start looking for a therapist
I’d recommend using tools such as the Counselling Directory or British Association of Counselling Psychotherapy to find a professionally trained and registered counsellor. If you use Google search, most qualified therapists will have a logo on their website that leads to an accredited counselling body in your country (for example, the BACP) – this ensures that your therapist has met the minimum training standards to be a part of that ethical governing body.
Does their experience align with what you’re looking for? This may matter to you if you are looking for someone very specific, for example, a therapist that identifies as LBGTQIA, specifically trained to work with neurodivergence, experienced in post-natal depression etc. In such cases, you might want to tailor your search to find someone who has trained or worked with people in this area. If, however, you are open to the idea of a therapist with a diverse background, you really want to find someone who you can gel with.
Top tip! To help you find someone with a specific experience or niche, you can use directories such as the counselling directory and filter by specific experience or keywords. This may help you narrow down your search.
Step 2: schedule a call with them
Most therapists will offer a free introduction to get to know each other. It is a good way to see if you could be a potential match for each other.
Step 3: speed dating time!
If you are unsure on what you are looking for, I’d encourage you to book an introduction call with 2-3 counsellors to get an idea on different styles of working and modalities.
Step 4: are they a match?
Now you have your calls booked in, the next step is figuring out if they are the right fit for you! So, what could you look for in a therapist?
Firstly, do you like them? It might seem a simple question, but whilst you do need to give a person the benefit of the doubt, once you have had an initial chat with your therapist, ask yourself, could I see myself opening up to this person? If not, what was it about them that you were unsure of?
Reflect after your introduction call. Below are some useful questions to understand how you felt following your initial discussions with a therapist:
- Did they seem empathetic?
- Are they seeming non-judgemental toward what you have said so far?
- Are they easy to talk to, if not, why?
- Do they seem like a trusting person, and answer your questions thoughtfully?
- Do they seem real and authentic in the way they present themselves?
This may help you as you continue your search. You may decide from the off that this person is the perfect fit for you, and in that case, I’d encourage you to book in an initial counselling session with them and get started on your journey!
Step 5: Try a few sessions with your therapist, or keep looking!
Even just speaking to a therapist for the first time can feel daunting, but once you get to know them, the benefits therapy can have on our mental health can be life-changing. It’s completely okay to meet with a therapist and ask them a lot of questions and then decide not to work with them.
It’s not your fault – it’s being human! You have already decided you would benefit from therapy, so it is worth trying again and booking an initial appointment with another therapist.
Well done for starting this journey! It isn’t easy, but you’re taking the first step in seeking the support that you deserve.
