Finding the right psychologist can be a real headache. The first thing that probably comes to mind is how difficult it is to make an appointment, and how hard it is to find the right one. If you are already tired and discouraged by the process, it can leave you feeling quite powerless. However, putting the effort into finding the right psychologist can pay off in the long run.
If, after searching online, checking with friends, and maybe even overcoming great anxiety, you finally get an appointment and you find a person sitting opposite you who can not only help you, but, with whom you feel good, you are very lucky. However, sometimes it can also happen that you feel like something is missing or is not a good fit. This can leave you feeling disappointed. You may even start to think that a psychologist is of no use, and that they can’t help you. Despite this, it is worth continuing the search.
Research says that a good relationship between the client and the psychologist (also called the therapeutic alliance) is one of the most important factors in the success of therapy or counseling. In addition, studies show that the most important are the internal resources of you and the psychologist you work with, and only then the method of counseling.
The first and easiest step is to determine the psychologist’s higher level education background in psychology (also note that one cannot call themselves a psychologist if they do not have higher level education in psychology). You can find this out by doing a background investigation, as the website usually states what kind of training the person has. You can also ask about the psychologist's qualifications when booking an appointment.
Usually, one does not go to a psychologist without concerns or worries, but rather to get answers to questions, to create clarity in their head, to get support, help and advice. If possible, you can plan ahead of time about the questions and feelings you have before seeing the psychologist. For example: Why do I want to see a psychologist? Am I feeling depressed? Anxiety? Anger? Has something happened in my life that I cannot overcome? Is it about my relationships?
If you do not have answers to these questions, that is okay. However, a little thinking about these things can give you a good direction as to what kind of specialization you need from a psychologist. And remember - a good psychologist will understand if their training or specialization is right for you. Then you can discuss together which specialization (e.g. trauma therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, specialized in mental health disorders, etc.) would be a good fit for you.
Once you have done this first, and perhaps hardest, step and have made it to the reception room, one sign to look for is how you feel in the company of the person sitting across from you. The correct fit is crucial. First, a very simple criterion - can you feel comfortable and free with your psychologist? Can you talk about everything? It does not have to happen as soon as you walk in the door, but within the first couple of meetings you will be able to see. While a psychologist is not your friend, you might feel as comfortable with them as you would with a good friend. If we talk about the chemistry between people, it is not wrong to say that chemistry could also develop with a psychologist. As always - hard to define what chemistry is, but you can tell once you’ve met them.
In addition to the feeling of comfort, it is important that you feel understood, no matter what concern or problem you have gone to the psychologist for. Sometimes, it is not easy for you to articulate your concerns. A good psychologist will help you do this - after the first meeting, you should have more or less understood what the concern or problem is that you are going to focus on with the psychologist. You could also have an idea of what methods they will be using to help you. And it is important that you understand - a psychologist can help you quite a lot, but you yourself are an active party in shaping your life. Unfortunately, the quality of a psychologist cannot be measured by the fact that they fix you up, so you don't have to do anything yourself. The one who makes such a promise is definitely not a good psychologist.
It is very important to tell the psychologist if you feel that something is unclear, something makes you uncomfortable, or does not feel right. It is also necessary to say this if you feel that you will not benefit from working with them. At the same time, you should not jump to conclusions either - when it comes to serious topics, talking about them can cause great anxiety and discomfort at first. However, if these feelings do not go away, this is a warning sign. After the first few meetings, you should feel at least a little relieved and hopeful that things will get better. In addition, everything you do between meetings with a psychologist is also important - whether you apply the teachings and recommendations you have received in your everyday life.
Finding the right psychologist can take time. But it pays off.
Research says that a good relationship between the client and the psychologist (also called the therapeutic alliance) is one of the most important factors in the success of therapy or counseling. In addition, studies show that the most important are the internal resources of you and the psychologist you work with, and only then the method of counseling.
The first and easiest step is to determine the psychologist’s higher level education background in psychology (also note that one cannot call themselves a psychologist if they do not have higher level education in psychology). You can find this out by doing a background investigation, as the website usually states what kind of training the person has. You can also ask about the psychologist's qualifications when booking an appointment.
Usually, one does not go to a psychologist without concerns or worries, but rather to get answers to questions, to create clarity in their head, to get support, help and advice. If possible, you can plan ahead of time about the questions and feelings you have before seeing the psychologist. For example: Why do I want to see a psychologist? Am I feeling depressed? Anxiety? Anger? Has something happened in my life that I cannot overcome? Is it about my relationships?
If you do not have answers to these questions, that is okay. However, a little thinking about these things can give you a good direction as to what kind of specialization you need from a psychologist. And remember - a good psychologist will understand if their training or specialization is right for you. Then you can discuss together which specialization (e.g. trauma therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, specialized in mental health disorders, etc.) would be a good fit for you.
Once you have done this first, and perhaps hardest, step and have made it to the reception room, one sign to look for is how you feel in the company of the person sitting across from you. The correct fit is crucial. First, a very simple criterion - can you feel comfortable and free with your psychologist? Can you talk about everything? It does not have to happen as soon as you walk in the door, but within the first couple of meetings you will be able to see. While a psychologist is not your friend, you might feel as comfortable with them as you would with a good friend. If we talk about the chemistry between people, it is not wrong to say that chemistry could also develop with a psychologist. As always - hard to define what chemistry is, but you can tell once you’ve met them.
In addition to the feeling of comfort, it is important that you feel understood, no matter what concern or problem you have gone to the psychologist for. Sometimes, it is not easy for you to articulate your concerns. A good psychologist will help you do this - after the first meeting, you should have more or less understood what the concern or problem is that you are going to focus on with the psychologist. You could also have an idea of what methods they will be using to help you. And it is important that you understand - a psychologist can help you quite a lot, but you yourself are an active party in shaping your life. Unfortunately, the quality of a psychologist cannot be measured by the fact that they fix you up, so you don't have to do anything yourself. The one who makes such a promise is definitely not a good psychologist.
It is very important to tell the psychologist if you feel that something is unclear, something makes you uncomfortable, or does not feel right. It is also necessary to say this if you feel that you will not benefit from working with them. At the same time, you should not jump to conclusions either - when it comes to serious topics, talking about them can cause great anxiety and discomfort at first. However, if these feelings do not go away, this is a warning sign. After the first few meetings, you should feel at least a little relieved and hopeful that things will get better. In addition, everything you do between meetings with a psychologist is also important - whether you apply the teachings and recommendations you have received in your everyday life.
Finding the right psychologist can take time. But it pays off.
If you want to book an appointment with one of our psychologists, please contact us:
Phone: 5666 9568
E-mail: info@hetas.ee
E-mail: info@hetas.ee
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