While there are a lot of therapists offering psychotherapy, finding someone you like may require some effort, especially if it is your first time being in therapy. The most important and first issue you should consider is finding out if the therapist is licensed. Each state has their own licensure requirements for therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and social workers to protect patients/ clients. It is your right to ask your therapist about his/her qualifications and it is essential for you to know that you will be receiving a treatment from someone who is qualified to provide in your state.
Before you start therapy, review your reason for seeking therapy. Some people may not be able to identify this concretely and they may make general statements such as ”I want to be happy” or “I want to get rid of this anxiety/depression”.
Struggling to identify your specific needs and goals can make finding a therapist overwhelming or burdensome. You can always ask your therapist to help you identify the problem and determine your goals. The aim of the first session should be to set goals for both the therapist and the client. If you do not determine your goals, it becomes difficult to decide if the therapy is working or not.
For example, if your goal is to improve your social relationships, you may specify it as “Be involved in social gatherings more often, meet at least 1 friend during this week”. These small goals are the ones that create change and a good therapist only encourages his/her client to make small changes in the beginning.
Adherence to ethical rules is essential, but being ethical does not automatically make one a good psychologist, psychotherapist, marriage and family therapist, or a mental health counselor/professional. Also, not every good therapist is good for everyone.
As we always say at Epic Wellness Clinic, the best therapist in the world is the one you can connect to the most. the therapeutic relationship is the key to the best outcome. It is very important for you as the client to evaluate your therapy session and your psychotherapist according to your personal experience, goals, and needs.
At the end of your 1st session, here are some questions you can ask yourself in order to decide if you found the right therapist:
- Was my therapist supportive and attentive?
- Was she/he able to understand my problem and helped me define my goals?
- Was I comfortable and open with my therapist?
- Did I feel understood by my therapist?
- Was my session effective/useful?
At our Miami Beach clinic, all therapists are licensed by the department of health in the state of Florida. If you are unsure of your goals or needs or if you do not know what you want to change, therapists at Epic Wellness Clinic are here to help.Taking the first step and starting therapy is not only the bravest thing but also one of the healthiest choices you can ever make to deal with your emotional problems. As Epic team we wish you the best of luck finding “the therapist” for yourself.