Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist:

02/20/2021

1. The experience of the therapist

What type of experience does your preferred therapist have? In general, therapists have experience in dealing with different issues, like depression, eating disorders, anxiety, etc. However, you need to choose a therapist that has experience in dealing with the type of problem that you are experiencing.
The number of years of experience your preferred therapist has is also an important factor to consider. If they have been in business for many years, it means that they have great knowledge regarding different mental and emotional issues that people experience regularly.

2.The specific type of therapy or treatment the counselor provides:

Different counselors offer different types of therapeutic treatments to help people. Therefore; you need to check out the type of therapies they offer. There are those who offer a blend of treatments and techniques. You may find it helpful to research the different techniques that are available, and then you can ask the therapist about the techniques they follow and how effective they are. If you know a little about the treatments you are most interested in beforehand, you will be able to determine which one is the best for you and find the right fit.

3. The therapist's credentials:
For a person to work as a professional mental health counselor, they need to be licensed by a state regulatory board and have an active, current license in good standing. In most states, they also have to possess a Master's degree and have completed a graduate program that is accredited within their university or school. It is important for you to check out the credentials that they have. If they are licensed, it means that they have fulfilled all the requirements.

4. Your instinct:

First impressions do matter when choosing the right therapist. Even if you are nervous at first, as many people are during the first few sessions, the right counselor for you will work to help you feel more comfortable and emotionally safe. Trust your gut here. If it doesn't feel right to you, it may not be the right fit, and the treatment may not be as effective for you. However, if this happens, don't give up! Sometimes it takes some shopping around first in order to find the right counselor for you.