Starting therapy can be a daunting affair, and as it is with all new and unfamiliar things it can often elicit feelings of trepidation and nervousness. One of the most challenging barriers to getting started in therapy is deciding who to see. If you have ever done an internet search for therapists, you’ll know just how many practitioners and types of therapy there are, and sorting through all of the choices can feel overwhelming. While there is no exact formula for selecting a therapist, here are some things to consider that will hopefully get you or someone you’re supporting to get started.
One of the most important things to consider is what we call the ‘therapeutic alliance’ which means, the relationship you have with your therapist. The evidence is very clear on this one. Therapy works best when you have a good sense of connection with your therapist, and a good connection is typically one based on empathy, trust, respect, genuineness and unconditional regard. Sometimes the connection you have is hard to explain, and it’s just one where you felt you ‘clicked’ with your therapist. While you won’t know until you meet them, you can consider jumping online and exploring their bio, and you can always give their clinic a call to ask about them. If you get a good feeling, that’s probably a good enough reason to get started and see how you go. Sometimes you might find that you don’t develop a good fit with your therapist and that is OK; sometimes it takes time and a bit of trial and error to find the right practitioner. In an instance like this it’s OK to make a change.
You might also want to consider if you have any personal preferences that might make you feel more comfortable when building your therapeutic alliance. For example, do you have a preference on whether your therapist is a male or female? Do you have a preference for their age, or religion, what language they speak or what service they offer? You may not know what your preferences are and that’s OK. And certain aspects of a therapist’s personal life will not be available to you. But asking yourself these questions before you begin your search will help you narrow down your options and will assist you build a short list of therapists to consider. A recommendation from your GP or someone you know can also help here if you’re still feeling overwhelmed.
Some other things to consider sit on the more practical side of things, such as, where is the therapist located, what is their availability and what does the service cost? Finding a great therapist is one thing, but if you can’t get there, can’t afford to go regularly or you don’t have the flexibility to fit with their availability, it might be best to consider someone that fits your needs a little better. Therapy works best when you can attend as recommended.
You might also want to think about what kind of support and intervention you need. In most cases the type of therapy being provided is actually less important than the building of the therapeutic alliance. However, in some instances a specific type of intervention might be needed and as such you will want to make sure your therapist has the experience required. Some examples might be exposure response prevention for obsessive compulsive disorder, enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for eating disorders or specific training in the assessment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. If you need a specific type of assessment or intervention, give the clinician or their clinic a call to enquire before you have your first appointment.
Finally, it is important to understand that there are all sorts of therapeutic services available in the community, but this also means a wide range of credentials. It is highly recommended that you explore a therapist’s credentials and consider the benefits of working with someone who is registered with a regulation body such as the Australian Health Practitioner’s Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or an association such as the Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Association of Family Therapists or the Australian Counselling Association. Working with a registered practitioner means they have had to obtain and maintain registration standards and are bound by a code of ethics and standards of practice. Knowing that your therapist is a registered practitioner means you can be sure they have received training and have been given authority to practice.
Getting started in therapy can be such a daunting task, but we hope this has made the process feel a little more understandable. Once you’ve done your research the next step is to give someone a call and make an appointment. And don’t forget – you can always chat with your therapist about all of this once you get started! They know so well just how important it is to find a good therapeutic fit. Should you wish to see one of our practitioners at The Melbourne Wellbeing Group or need some support to choose a practitioner, our administration team is here to help. Please feel free to give our administration team a call on 9882 8874 or visit our website at melbournewellbeinggroup.com.au.
This blog was written and prepared by Dr Victoria Miller - Principal Psychologist and Associate Director at MWG.