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The following is from Online Psych for those who don't have AOL: The difficulty of finding a therapist and then assessing that therapist is complicated by the fact that we usually start our search when we are already in a crisis of some sort! You can of course, call a Mental Health organization in your vicinity, or you can contact the Counseling Department of a college or university. You will usually find some excellent referrals through these sources. Your MD may have some collegues in mind, or you may have a friend who has been seeing a therapist, and there seem to be positive changes occuring. Ask your pastor or rabbi to suggest someone. There are many different people who may practice "psychotherapy". There are Marriage and Family, Child Counselors (MFCC) in some states, Psychiatrists (MDs with further training who can perscribe medication), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Psychologists (Ph.D. in Psychology) to name a few. The most important consideration is that the person be well-trained and properly licensed in your state. Any therapist worth their salt will not mind telling you about their training and background; they are usually proud of it! A professional usually belongs to some professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association or others, but that membership is not a guarantee of ethical practices. Ask about the therapist's viewpoint, their philosophy about counseling? What are their fees, do they accept insurance? (There are therapists who work on a "sliding fee scale", and that may be helpful to you.) You need to feel that the person is genuinly interested in you and your issues, and that they care. Do you feel comfortable with the therapist, bearing in mind that not everything is "comfortable" to discuss, especially at first? You and the therapist have to get to know one another, that usually takes a few weeks. Don't expect instant results, your problems didn't happen in a day, don't expect results in a day! The theraputic relationship takes time to build; trust takes time to develop. Therapy is a time to explore yourself, your relationships and your coping skills. It is a time to learn, grow and extend you. Growth can be disconcerting but you will find new ways of looking at old issues, and think about many things in a different light. "Know Thyself" is an important saying, and once you have been through some counseling you will find that relief and hope are on their way. Follow your therapist's guidance. It is possible that some medication may be advised, take it EXACTLY as directed, at the times directed. The levels of the medication may take time to build to the correct levels in your system; this is a very individual matter. Report anything unusual to your doctor immediatly. A competent therapist is guided by a strict code of ethics regarding confidentialty and other matters. If you have any questions about this, ask them. A therapist must NEVER suggest any kind of more intimate relationship with them as a way of solving your problems. If you feel that you aren't getting anywhere, say so...have a discussion about it. It is only fair to the therapist to say what you feel so that you can work on it together. Set short-term and long-term goals, check on your progress toward those goals. Understand that some issues are more difficult than others and take a longer time to resolve. Work together with your therapist, cooperate and follow through. Most people find that therapy can make a difference in dealing with life situations, relationship problems, stress levels and many other issues. It is a new kind of relationship, and can be a healing, nurturing experience. Many people find that life presents them with situations they don't know exactly how to handle. A good therapist can make a world of difference. Many of the answers are within you, a talented professional can help you to find the answers that are right for you. To summarize:
1. Find a licensed professional; do you feel at ease? And don't forget, ask your questions along the way..you have a right to get reasonable answers. This is a new sort of adventure; it may be the most important one in your life. To find out more information check here American Psychological Association Home Page. TOP |