How to Find a Good Psychotherapist

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes. Contains 1575 words

I’m often asked by family, friends or acquaintances as to what therapy is and what are the benefits of going to therapy in the first place. This is often followed by many more queries. Some may simply what to know what it is whereas some may be seeking psychotherapy for themselves or a family member. Others may want a referral for a “Good Therapist”. Now what do they mean by a a good therapist? I assume someone who is supportive and can help them resolve their issues. Maybe someone reasonable in their fees as well, at the same time skilled and effective. I understand how important it is to have a good therapist and how difficult is to identify who is a ‘good one’ in the first place.

Since this question comes up so often, I thought it might be helpful to come up with a few pointers that would help the readers. Though this article is very generic, there are places i refer to certain specific issues that people in India face, since we are literally taking baby steps when it comes to this field in our country.

therapy

1. Consider Your Needs

The first step is to consider what are you looking for.

Many of us may really don’t know what we really want in the first place.

Then there are points in our lives, were we may feel overwhelmed and may need help dealing with our problems. There are times when things seems so out of control — trauma, abuse, loss of a dear one or your job; problems with a marriage or relationship, a family situation, depression, stress, burnout or substance abuse. These losses and stresses of daily living can at times be significantly debilitating. Sometimes we need outside help from a trained, licensed professional in order to work through these problems.

There are also points wherein things might not be as overwhelming or as debilitating as mentioned above. they may be less severe in nature but still be confusing. you may be feeling lost or confused. you may have doubts as to where your life is going, how you relate to others, how you perform at school, or work, what you aspire to and where you are now. etc.

So in short some maybe seeking some relief. from symptoms, or otherwise. Some may want an initial assessment to understand what is happening to them or their relationship, may be to determine a diagnosis or to get recommendations for further treatment.

Some may be seeking psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” others may desire medication, and Others may not know what is it that they exactly want; they just know they are distressed and are searching for some relief.

If medications are indicated, psychiatrists (in India) [abroad to my understanding-psychiatric nurse practitioners as well] are typically the mental health professionals who prescribe medication. If psychotherapy is the primary type of treatment being sought, counseling or clinical psychologists, Psychiatric social workers,marriage & family therapists and certified counselors will usually be the most readily available options.

2. Consider your Finances

Therapy can be an awesome life-changing experience, however it’s a considerable investment of time, energy, and money. And in a country like India insurance doesn’t cover therapy costs. Yep. That’s frustrating indeed. But that’s the way it is. For Now hopefully.

Most often there is an initial assessment phase (1-3 sessions) followed by the actual therapy phase (5- 15 or more depending on the problem) spanned across weeks usually weekly sessions. The fees vary from therapist to therapist, clinic to clinic, hospital to hospital. Also from the private sector to public sector.

So if you can’t afford one in the private sector, lower cost options for therapy may include a community mental health center like for example National institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences- NIMHANS, Bangalore, India, the place i work in currently or a clinic affiliated with a local university whose therapists are graduate students in training. These settings may offer an adjustable fee scale based on income, family size or financial hardship. Just because they charge less does not mean the quality of services is poorer than those provided by therapists with higher fees. Also, some workplaces may offer the option of an in house counselor, which provide free short-term counseling services.

3. Do Some Research

Well this is the most difficult part at least in a country like India, where there are still poor licensure practices. you may after all end up seeing someone who isn’t qualified in the first place!

So please,PLEASE! research well, go to recognized centers or to practitioners with recognized degrees!!! ( well that is debatable still in our country, but choose one with a clinical degree wherein they have been considerably trained in clinical skills)- more on this in this article-degrees a clinical psychologist in India should have

and this what is clinical psychology?

and this different types of psychology!

Frankly i think in our country It’s a great idea to ask others for recommendations about good psychotherapists, particularly those who may have first-hand knowledge about specific therapists. Who should you ask? Your family doctor will likely be familiar with therapists they have collaborated with previously. Mental health centers / hospitals can be another good source of information. If you know someone who is a mental health professional, by all means ask them for recommendations. Usually ours is a small community (very small in India) usually pretty tight-knit, and most are happy to recommend colleagues they know and hold in high regard. Finally, if you know someone who has been in therapy, ask them who they saw and what their experience was.

4. Meet the Therapist

After you have identified your top psychotherapist candidate, call and schedule an appointment with them. When you arrive, you may complete some paperwork depending on whether they practice at a center or independently. Then the therapist will meet with you and discuss your current concerns, life history, and your overall health status. This first visit is a chance for both you and the therapist to begin to see whether you can work well together.

When you go for this first visit, Prepare a basic list of questions to ask the therapist. If in doubt, please at least ask the following:

The therapist’s education, training, licensure ( To my knowledge- in India – the only body which provides this is the RCI- Rehabilitation council of India) and experience
Particular experience with the issues you are now facing
Style or type of therapy to be provided and the evidence for its effectiveness
Fees, office hours, and availability of after-hours emergency services

Now people in India may find this overwhelming. Here many aren’t aware of patient rights, and still continue to hold doctors on pedestals. Well they sure deserve your respect, however they are not gods! No need to have blind faith.

If your therapist have issues with these questions, then it’s a given that they aren’t professional enough to handle your issues. ( but kindly, be respectful as well, you can’t come across like an inquisitor as well! i have had clients on this end of the extreme as well)

Once you have decided on a psychotherapist, it’s important that you re-evaluate therapy at regular intervals to see if you and your therapist both agree that you are still benefiting from the process. You may decide at some point that you have achieved your goals and therapy is no longer needed or you may decide to take a break from therapy for a period of time. Another option can be to seek a referral to a different therapist if the current therapy doesn’t seem beneficial or if a different approach might be helpful. Also, additional interventions can be added in combination with therapy, such as medications, support groups, family therapy, and self-help materials.

5. Your therapist isn’t a miracle worker!

Well, this is something that we often come across in our clients. Due to the lack of awareness, it ‘s often presumed that therapy is a quick fix to all your problems. Well, sadly, that’s a no no.

Therapy can be an effective treatment for mental and emotional problems. But in order to reap its benefits, it’s important to choose the right therapist. However it’s equally important that you practice what’s recommended in the sessions. Your therapist cannot do the work for you. At best they can offer you techniques, but to reap its benefits you will have to practice them! and it takes time.

Few pointers for the readers to remember-

It can be very helpful to talk about your problems to close friends and family members. But sometimes, we need help that the people around us aren’t able to provide. While the support of friends and family is important, therapy is different. Therapists are professionally-trained practitioners who can help you get to the root of your problems, overcome emotional challenges, and make positive changes in your life.

Also You need not have a diagnosis of a mental illness to benefit from therapy. Many people in therapy seek help for everyday concerns: relationship problems, job stress, or self-doubt, for example. Others turn to therapy during difficult times, such as a divorce.

Therapy can be time consuming and challenging, since very often uncomfortable emotions and thoughts often arise as part of the treatment process. However, therapy provides long-lasting benefits that go beyond symptom relief. Therapy gives you the tools for transforming your life—for relating better to others, building the life you want for yourself, and coping with whatever problems that may come your way further in life.

#Awareness #Therapy