Find your ideal mental health therapist can be tricky. Explore what to look for while finding the right therapist and online therapy options at Solh Wellness.
2. This question often comes to mind when
looking for counseling or a therapy session.
Most of us surf the internet about therapists
near us or go to the one recommended to us
by someone. As therapy is something we
connect to our counselor on a personal level,
we share our life stories with them and seek
their expertise on how to deal with the
difficult situations affecting our mental
health severely.
Introduction
3. Credential: Look into the therapist's credentials, whether
certified to address your concerns or not. Every therapist
has specific areas of expertise, so if you are seeking
relationship counseling, look for a therapist who
specializes in that particular area, as they will be able to
deal with your case more systematically and nicely than
the one who specializes in rehabilitation.
Therapy: When choosing therapy, consider your condition
and preferences. Short-term options like CBT and
Interpersonal Therapy are effective for anxiety and
depression. Psychoanalytic therapy may be better for
certain conditions. Body-centered therapies like Somatic
Experiencing can address trauma. Therapists use a mix of
methods tailored to your needs.
So instead of selecting your therapist randomly, just have a look for these
things and select them accordingly
4. Compatibility: The connection between a therapist and their
patient is crucial for successful therapy. While a positive
experience with a therapist may be encouraging, it does not
guarantee the same outcome for everyone. Establishing
comfort and rapport with a therapist is essential. The
"therapeutic alliance" involves mutual agreement on therapy
goals and methods, effective communication, and
collaboration. Research indicates that this alliance is more
important than the specific type of therapy used. Therapists
who genuinely support their patients tend to yield better
results, regardless of therapy style. Therapists are advised to
monitor interactions, addressing any issues affecting trust or
communication to ensure the alliance remains strong.
Ultimately, a solid therapist-patient relationship significantly
influences therapy's effectiveness.
5. Comfort and Connection: Am I at ease sharing with
this person? A strong Is the therapist empathetic and
attentive?
Agenda and Commitment: Are they pushing for
commitment without understanding your motivation or
options?
Credentials and Expertise: What are their
qualifications and experience with your condition?
Therapy Options: Can they explain why one therapy
type suits you better?
Things to remember after scheduling an appointment
6. Collaboration: How do they work with
your psychiatrist or PCP, enhancing care
quality?
Availability: Do they offer
evening/weekend hours, and how often
should sessions occur?
Goals: What are the agreed-upon therapy
objectives and endpoints?
Fees and Billing: How is payment managed, and is
there flexibility?
7. Initial Challenges: Feeling worse initially is
common as hidden issues emerge. If you consider
quitting due to this, talk to your therapist first.
Emotional Shifts: Experiencing mixed feelings
toward your therapist, called "transference," is
natural. Addressing this prevents premature
quitting and fosters genuine progress.
Engaging with Homework: Therapies like CBT
may include tasks like journaling or relaxation
exercises. If you resist, your therapist should
explore this resistanceβa vital step for progress.
What to expect during treatment and how to decide
when to stop
8. Therapeutic Goals: Uncover self, relationships, and
condition insights. Enhance coping with anger,
depression, anxiety, improve self-care, and prevent
relapse.
Medication Transition: Collaborate with your mental
health team for safe medication reduction if feasible.
Avoid self-adjustment due to potential risks.
Closure Talks: Discuss ending therapy with your
therapist as goals near fulfillment. External input from
friends/family provides extra perspectives on your
progress.
Sustained Progress: Keep in mind that progress often
endures even after therapy concludes.
9. Conclusion
In the journey towards better mental health, choosing the right therapist can
significantly influence therapy's success. It's essential to approach this decision
thoughtfully, considering factors like credentials, personal connection, and
therapy type. A strong therapeutic alliance and effective communication lay
the foundation for progress. Throughout treatment, embracing challenges,
addressing emotions, and actively participating in therapy tasks are pivotal. As
therapy advances, working towards goals, considering medication
adjustments, and planning for closure are important steps. Ultimately, therapy
is a collaborative effort that can lead to sustained personal growth, improved
well-being, and lasting progress when navigated with careful consideration and
commitment.
At Solh Wellness, we offer comprehensive mental health services, including our
"Solh Discovery Session" to help individuals find the right therapist for their
needs. On top of that, we provide resources as well as self-help tools to
practice self-care and mindfulness.
11. Join Us
IF YOU ARE:
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER
ALLIED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
MAKING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
AFFORDABLE, AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
TO ALL
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