The success of a psychological therapy relies on the good relationship between the therapist and the patient. This is the basis for creating the necessary confidence to work on internal conflicts, the commitment to carry out the assigned tasks and advice, as well as to obtain the positive results that are sought. But building this relationship can sometimes be more complicated than you think.
Choosing a good psychologist is not that easy. The best way to fix this? Knowing the specialist who will treat your problem, in this way, you can go with a more open mind, with a better disposition and without creating expectations that may end up disappointing you by not being satisfied in the way you expect. In this article we give you some keys so that you are sure to be right.
Why is it important to know who we go to psychological therapy with?
- One of the main reasons why the patient-therapist relationship fails is due to ignorance or lack of information on the work to be done. Once the consultation is reached and the parameters are established, the client can see that the psychologist’s approach style does not suit her needs or she does not feel entirely comfortable.
- So future work will be affected by the patient’s defensive posture or simply, they will stop attending and get a bad impression of psychological therapy.
- So, currently, many therapists offer their services on their websites or through social networks, where they talk a little about their influences, specializations and articles on treatments and psychological approach, which helps to have a first impression of this therapist and thus reduce anticipated anxiety, have a clear vision of what you are going to expect and have more confidence to raise your problems with the psychologist.
Always speak up front
You can have all the information collected about the psychologist you are going to attend, but even so, it is important that once you get there you talk directly with your specialist about how his specialty and intervention work can be adapted to your needs and solve the problem. problem you have
It is very important to put shame aside and clarify all the doubts you may have to be completely sure of the investment you are going to make, after all, it is your mental and integral well-being that you are going to work with said psychologist. And that is precisely why you go to therapy, to improve and not the opposite.
11 keys to choose your most suitable psychologist
- Make it a professional
I know this may seem obvious, but many overlook this important element when they go to a psychological consultation for the first time. It is necessary that you verify that he is a qualified specialist in a psychological area that is related to your problem, in this way misunderstandings will be avoided and you will be able to ensure your improvement.
- Search with sincerity
As we know, there are many specialists in the field of mental health, from motivational coaches, psychotherapists, educational psychologists and psychiatrists, each with their own different specialization. Therefore, if you do not feel comfortable in psychological therapy, you may need to see another specialist, so be honest and discuss it with your therapist so that he can guide you.
- Affinity with the problem
A good way to ensure an ideal therapeutic relationship with a psychologist is to find a professional specialized in your problem or with an ideal approach to it. This will reduce your fear and anxiety in the face of the unknown and increase your chances of ensuring a good result from those sessions.
- Browse the web
As I mentioned before, a good way to reduce anxiety and anticipatory doubts about going to the psychologist is to search the web. Thousands of psychologists have social networks, web pages or blogs where they advertise their services and write about various topics that can generate more empathy and confidence that this is the approach you need to solve your specific problem.
- Go to a specialist center
But if you are one of the people who likes to make sure in person, then you can go to a center of psychological specialization, public health or the psychological area of a clinic so that they can provide you with more information about the psychologists who work there and their approaches. In this way, you can be more confident and have more options on the table.
- Ensure confidentiality
It is very important that you consolidate the issue of confidentiality with your psychologist, from your personal data to what is worked on in the office. Everything you say in therapy should stay in the office and not leave those walls, unless they need support for an approach or I have to recommend you to another specialist. However, if this case occurs, the psychologist is obliged to inform you.
- Do not obsess over a specific model
As you already know, there are many psychological schools, approach techniques and intervention styles that evolve over time, so don’t get stuck with just one that you have read about or have already known about. Because your problem can perhaps be solved with a completely different one or with a combination of several styles.
- lower your expectations a bit
It is not bad to have in mind a prior idea of how you want the issues to arise or how you would like the interaction with your psychologist to be, but keep in mind that this may not be exactly how you imagine it, but that does not mean that it’s something bad. What you need to ensure is that the path they take is beneficial to you and that even if it is difficult to face, the results will be worth it instead of making you feel worse.
- Clarify intervention
Another of the critical factors due to which the patient-therapist relationship fails are due to differences in the intervention, in the sense that in the first session things can be taken for granted and the intervention is the opposite of what is needed. To avoid this, ask them to explain what the approach will consist of, what topics they will cover, how they will do it, and how long it will last.
- Appreciate the progress
If you have previously gone to a consultation and did not have a good experience or did not see favorable results, then notify your current psychologist so that he does not take the same course. If instead it’s your first time, talk about the results you’d like to achieve, that way you can both celebrate small steps forward.
- Evaluate utility
They say that the first impression is very important and in the case of psychological therapy this is totally true. You can discover a lot in the first therapy session. In it you can see the psychologist’s interest in your case, if you feel confident and secure in the office, if there is affinity, if he is responsible and, above all, professional. You can also evaluate if he judges you or if he gets personally involved more than necessary.
And finally… Some tips to keep in mind:
In summary, to guarantee choosing an ideal psychologist, you need to be previously informed about who he is and his work, keep in mind (or write down) the doubts you want to clarify and go with the best possible disposition. Remember that assertive communication makes all the difference between a profitable therapeutic experience and a bad time that you don’t want to repeat.