Choosing a Therapist

Choosing Your  Therapist:                                                                                                                             

When seeking help for personal or family problems, it is very important to choose a therapist wisely.  After all, you will be entrusting this person with very sensitive and private information.  The decision should always be made carefully, with purpose and forethought.

Crucial Factor: A “Good Fit.”                                                                                                                          

Research has shown that the most important factor in successful therapy is the counselor/client relationship.  For this reason, it is important to be sure there is a good fit between you and your counselor.  It is recommended that you do not necessarily settle on the first therapist you find, or just pick someone who is a provider on your insurance panel!  As one of our clients told us, "Therapy is just not one of those things you should be bargain-hunting for." 

It is smart to “shop around” until you find someone with whom you feel a good connection – someone who has the combination of knowledge, experience, and emotional supportiveness that you are comfortable with.  And, of course, we believe you should choose a Marriage and Family Therapist. 

Training/Education
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers all require either a Master’s Degree or Doctorate, with specifically supervised training for their clinical specialties. Associate therapists have graduated from an accredited counseling program, and are working towards receiving licensure.  Associates must earn a certain number of supervised clinical hours and pass the state licensure exam in their particular specialty area in order to become fully licensed.  This process generally takes 1-2 years, post-graduate.  Student therapists (practicum students and interns) are working towards a Master’s Degree or Doctorate and have the requisite educational training to consult with clients when they are enrolled in an accredited graduate school program.  They are working under the supervision of other licensed therapists and state approved supervisors. 

Licensure/Certification
While a license/certification is certainly no guarantee of quality or skill level, it is helpful to know that a therapist has fulfilled the state’s requirements for training and education, or is in the process of working towards licensure.  When a therapist is licensed by a state board, s/he is held to the highest standard of ethical and legal professionalism in the counseling profession. 

One More Suggestion:                                                                                                                   
Ask Questions!
Remember that in the therapist/client relationship, you are the customer!  You have the right to have all of your questions answered about therapy and the qualifications of a particular therapist. One important question clients might consider asking potential therapists is whether or not they have been in therapy themselves, and what have they learned and gained from it. 

We believe that in order for counselors to provide the highest level of service to their clients, they themselves must be living healthy and empowered lives.  This allows clients to have a role-model for healthy living!  If your potential therapist does not have any experience as a client, s/he may not be able to identify with being on the "client side of the couch," and may not truly understand what it takes to lead people "where they themselves have not actually walked."  We believe that good therapists are able to "do what they teach," which provides a foundation of integrity.  This foundation can become the basis for powerful and permanent change in people's lives.     

Interview potential therapists before you make a decision about contracting with them for services, and be sure you feel optimistic about working with them.  You are not under any obligation to continue working with a therapist whose skills and expertise do not engender in you total confidence. And while it is best to terminate a counseling relationship in consult with the current therapist, clients can leave therapy at any time, for any reason -- especially if they do not believe their therapist is equipped to handle the complexities of relationship issues.