How To Choose A Therapist: 8 Secrets to Success

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Article Title:

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How To Choose A Therapist: 8 Secrets to Success

Article Description:

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Finding a good psychotherapist can be a daunting task for the

average person. Like in most professions, you probably realize

that not all therapists are created equally. So if you are

thinking about seeking help, how can you tell if the person you

are considering working with is excellent, average or virtually

ineffective? As a therapist with over 30 years experience in the

helping profession, here is what I would advise a close friend or

family member to consider.

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Distribution Date and Time: 2006-08-24 15:00:00

Written By: Steve B.

Copyright: 2006

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How To Choose A Therapist: 8 Secrets to Success

Copyright © 2006 Steve B.

Psychotherapy Center

http://www.psychotherapy-center.com

Finding a good psychotherapist can be a daunting task for the

average person. Like in most professions, you probably realize

that not all therapists are created equally. So if you are

thinking about seeking help, how can you tell if the person you

are considering working with is excellent, average or virtually

ineffective? As a therapist with over 30 years experience in the

helping profession, here is what I would advise a close friend or

family member to consider.

Education

Seek someone who has a master's degree or doctoral degree in

counseling, psychology, or social work. Either degree level is

fine because academic education alone is only a small part of

professional competence. People do not become great therapists

in graduate school. If a therapist's skills are limited to

their university training then they are still a beginner.

Professional Training

Basic skills are honed into great skills under the guidance and

training of master therapists. These people are gifted

clinicians and teachers. They are often developers of new

advances in the field. You rarely find them in universities

working for college teacher wages. Their work draws people from

around the world and their seminars can garner thousands of

dollars per person for just a few days of training. Ask about

the therapist's professional training. The more they have the

better they are likely to be.

Continued Professional Growth

All therapists are required to take a certain amount of

continuing education to remain licensed. Great therapists devote

themselves to training and on-going education that is far beyond

licensing requirements. I once heard a university instructor

brag that she had not learned anything new in 20 years--implying

that she knew everything worth knowing. I was appalled at her

ignorance and arrogance. Great therapists are devoted to life

long learning. Seek someone who has excitement about staying at

least current if not on the leading-edge of his or her field.

Their Own Therapy

To me, it has always seemed incomprehensible (and tantamount to

malpractice) that people will work as a psychotherapist without

ever going through psychotherapy themselves. Yet neither

universities nor licensing boards require it. They should. A

big part of what makes the best therapists great is that they

have benefited immensely from their own therapy. A broken mirror

does not reflect clearly. Make sure your therapist has done

their own work before they work with you.

Licensing

States require that everyone who practices psychotherapy must

have a license to do so. Seek someone who is a Licensed

Professional Counselor, Licensed Psychologist or a Licensed

Master Social Worker. These are the basics. In addition, you

may also want your therapist to be a Licensed Marriage and Family

Therapist or have a license or certification in chemical

dependency work if these issues are additional concerns.

Years In Practice

Learning to be a great therapist does not happen in two to four

years of graduate school or in the length of time it takes to

gain a license. These are minimum qualifications. The best

therapists spend years learning the art of therapy and its

growing body of knowledge. Pick someone with at least 10 years

in practice.

Managed Care vs. Non Managed Care Affiliated Therapists

The best therapists often avoid working with managed care

companies for two reasons:

1. They have such successful practices and are in such demand

that they don't need to discount their fees as deeply as managed

care requires in order to have sufficient business and

2. They are too busy successfully treating people to spend their

time and with the reams of bureaucratic paperwork required by

managed care companies.

If your insurance allows you freedom of choice regarding

providers, use it. If it does not, then consider paying out of

pocket. To find the best help, look beyond HMO and PPO provider

lists. Your mental and emotional health is not the place to

pinch pennies.

Rapport

It helps to have a good sense of rapport with your therapist. A

therapist is somewhat like a teacher. You have probably had

teachers throughout your life that you dearly loved and others

with whom you were not comfortable. Most therapists will spend

20 to 30 minutes with you on the phone to help you to decide if

you are comfortable with them. Some will also conduct seminars

and classes. This is a great way to get a sense of who they are

and how they work.

These ideas can help you to determine who is a great vs. not so

great therapist. If you are venturing into uncharted territory,

it is wise to have an expert guide. The right therapist can

facilitate both your journey and your transformation.

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Steve B. , LPC, LMSW, LMFT is a psychotherapist that

specializes in treating trauma and anxiety disorders including

social phobia. He treats people at his , Texas

office (Dallas area) and through phone counseling worldwide.

You can reach Steve at 972-997-9955 or through his website at:

http://www.psychotherapy-center.com

copyright 1998-2006, Steve B.