The Number One Thing to Look for in a Therapist

If you're out there and you've decided you need therapy, it can be more than a little overwhelming to find the right therapist for you.  You'll probably be looking at location, cost, specializations, approaches to therapy, and, if you want to use your insurance, you'll want to know if they accept it.  But really, the biggest concern you're likely to have is how to find a therapist who can actually help you with your problem quickly and effectively.  If you could find that person, you might be willing to travel farther or pay more, and you probably wouldn't care too much about their specific approach to therapy.

So let me tell you a little secret.  The number one thing that determines whether or not therapy will work is actually how much you like your therapist!  There have been so many studies about this, and they all point to the idea that the relationship between the client and the therapist is the single most important factor in therapeutic success.  There are a lot of great therapists out there, but not all of them will be great for you.  So the best thing you can do to find your therapist is to check out their websites (which you're already doing - way to go!), get them on the phone or send them an email, and do whatever you can to try to get to know them.  If it feels good, if you feel confident in this person and at ease with them, chances are therapy will be good for you.  On the other hand, if for some reason you get a bad vibe or even if you just don't click, therapy with this person might not work out no matter how many credentials they have, no matter how cheap and convenient.  Good luck in your search and let me know how it goes in the comments section!