Finding a Therapist

This is your guide to finding and choosing a therapist

Looking for a therapist is a big step. It takes courage and you may be wondering:

• How will I know who is the right therapist for me?  
• Will I feel safe?  
• Will I be able to open up?
• Will this professional understand my particular issues?

Undertaking one session with the person of your choice and seeing how it feels is the most reliable method of making a decision about a specific counsellor. 

SOME GUIDING QUESTIONS

How do you feel, just being in the presence of this counsellor?

Do you feel understood by the counsellor?

Do you feel you can talk openly with the counsellor?

Does the counsellor exhibit any discomfort with you or your concerns?

Do they seem to be listening to your particular concerns?

Are they offering you responses you find useful?

It can also help to talk to friends who are seeing a counsellor whom they like working with, to hear about their experience and to find out how they chose their therapist. By reading a website, emailing the counsellor with your questions, or talking to them on the phone, you may also get a sense whether you can connect with them.

WHAT QUALITIES WOULD I SEEK IN A COUNSELLOR?

A professional counsellor offers empathy, understanding and objective listening. A counsellor should have the training and skills necessary to help you develop the resources you need for tackling the challenges you experience. A counsellor should have an up-to-date and good understanding of psychology, should be educated in their field, be well versed in various treatment approaches and be someone you can develop a rapport with.

WHAT KINDS OF HELP CAN A COUNSELLOR USUALLY PROVIDE?

A counsellor can help you examine underlying mental, emotional and behavioural patterns.

A counsellor can offer you support and a safe place to articulate thoughts and feelings you might not normally share.

A counsellor is trained to help you examine and change behaviours and communication habits that have perhaps made relationships difficult.

A compassionate counsellor can support you to become more compassionate toward this self that is suffering.

Counselling is an opportunity to develop a richer relationship with yourself in your life.

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