Tips to Finding a Therapist
- Some patients/clients avoid calling a therapist because they feel embarrassed and don't know what they would say. Some fear they will not get a "good" therapist. Reassure the patient/client that they can get a feel for various therapists by looking at web sites, such as this one. Without telling me anything they can get a feel for my approach to therapy, my training and the kinds of clients I have experience with. Many therapists have web sites now so patients/clients can do this sort of research and then only call those therapists they are curious about. Sites such as www.counselingseattle.com and www.therapysearch.net are good places to start.
- Another way to help patients/clients overcome their concern about making a good match is to tell them to call therapists they are interested in and ask the therapists lots of questions. Therapists will often ask prospective clients to give a bit of information about the issue that is bringing them to therapy. Patients/clients do not need to give detailed information but should give the therapist a general idea.
- Patients/clients can then ask the prospective therapist how s/he might approach that issue. If that provider's approach sounds bizarre or uncomfortable to the patient/client an appointment need not be made. As brief as a 10 minute phone call with a prospective therapist can provide the patient/client with feel for the therapist, thereby helping the patient/client feel more comfortable about making the appointment.
There are no guarantees that a patient/client will follow your recommendation to see a therapist but these are some techniques that have been successful for many. - back -
