How I Know My Therapist Is Right For Me

Photo by Winston Boon

One thing that has tremendously helped me over the years is finding the right therapist for me. It’s so important I’m comfortable with the therapist as I will be sharing very personal things with him/her. So how do I know the therapist is right for me? I would choose a therapist based on these three factors:

1) Building trust and rapport

I would want someone I “click” with. Someone that has built rapport with me and is friendly as well. I want someone who I can see for a long time, and get to know me and what I want out of therapy and counselling. I want someone in particular who watch me progress forward in life, and help me see improvements in my life.

2) Their qualifications and special interests

I noticed that different therapists has different interests in mental health. For example, some have special interests in helping women who’s gone through trauma for instance. Or therapists who work with people who have intellectual disabilities in particular. When ‘shopping’ for a therapist, I make sure the therapist suits the problems that I’m facing and what I want to work on specifically.

3) Cost of therapy

Some therapists allowed me to see them for free for a few sessions in a calendar year if I had a mental health care plan in particular. But I am on the NDIS now, so I don’t need to worry about that. But before the NDIS, I had to see how much therapy would cost me out of pocket, once I used all the free sessions. Obviously therapy is not cheap, and I would want to make sure I get the best help that lasts as well.