If you are dealing with a difficult issue in your life, or are perhaps struggling to cope, you might be considering going to therapy. If you want to improve your mental health, or just talk your issues through with someone, choosing the right therapist is the first step.
Researchers have found that the relationship between you and your therapist is likely to have a big effect on the success of your therapy. That’s why, in your search for the right therapist, it is important to reflect upon your needs, research the options, ask questions, and notice your own feelings.
If you’re new to therapy, the number of different types of counsellors and therapists can feel overwhelming and confusing. Outlined below is a concise set of tips and questions which will help you to understand how to select the best therapist for your needs.
1) Research by Ross et al into successful therapy found two key elements to be of central importance:
- Agreed Tasks/Goals of Therapy – the “what and “how” of therapy.
The treatment goals need to fit the client’s expectations of therapy, lifestyle and worldview - Bond – this is the therapeutic relationship
The establishment of trust, caring and respect which the therapist establishes with the client.
From a practical point of view, you can only really establish this when you have met the therapist. This is closely linked to the next point, your “fit” with the therapist.
Your Fit with the Counsellor or Psychotherapist
One of the successful markers of effective therapy – therapy that helps you to achieve your goals- is where there is a strong feeling of rapport between client and therapist. The relationship which develops is very important. How do you work this out then? 4 markers are:
- Do you feel comfortable with the therapist?
- Does he or she listen carefully?
- Do you feel that you are able to trust them?
- What is the overall feeling you had about the therapist?
The Therapist’s Own Therapy
When you go to see a therapist, either counsellor or psychotherapist, they all have a sophisticated tool at their disposal that they have invested in – themselves. Whilst much can be learnt through academic study, that really is only part of the story. The primary instrument that the therapist uses is their own personality. Ideally, to help others therapists must have done their own work through their own therapy. Their own therapy will have allowed them to grow, releasing them to develop growth in others. Ask them about their own experiences of therapy. It’s not that it’s impossible to work with others without having looked at your own issues, its just that it makes you more potent if you have done. Make sure that your therapist has worked on their own stuff before they work on yours.
2. Academic Study
Academic credentials are worth considering: both universities and specialist psychotherapy training institutions offer post graduate training above degree level (e.g. a Masters qualification (MSc or MA)) and this can be one indication of deeper study or knowledge. Whilst all Counsellors and Therapists are required to demonstrate on-going professional development as part of their registration, the best therapists tend to be devoted to lifelong learning. In this case more is nearly always better.
3. Professional Registration
Although this may change in the future, surprisingly, unlike other medical professions, there is no overall government regulating body for Psychotherapy and Counselling who are instead currently regulated by their professional bodiesP. The two most important bodies are the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).
http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/ http://www.bacp.co.uk/
Both bodies regulate their members and have codes of ethics and practice which are regarded as essential guidelines for responsible practitioners.
In summary, the 4 tips to a good Psychotherapist or Counsellor are: Qualifications, training and experience; Professional Registration; Personal Therapy; and Client “Fit”. With these in mind you will have a good sense of whether the therapist is right for you.
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