Q & A: How to know if your therapist is the right fit

Q: How can someone know if a therapist is the right fit?

A: An initial consultation is a great opportunity for you and your counselor to meet each other and decide if the counselor is a good fit for you. This is important because counseling includes a collaborative relationship between the client and counselor. The counselor-client relationship involves the building of rapport and development of openness and trust.

Trust your instinct and feelings to determine if your counselor is a good fit for you. If you are feeling comfortable and open to continue the conversation, these are determining factors to proceed with the counselor.

Q: How long would this take?

A: The time frame to know if your Counselor is the right fit for you occurs once rapport and trust are established. This varies per person.

Q: How do we break up with a therapist?

A: Explain to your counselor that Counseling is no longer helping and you would like a referral to seek help from another professional. It is the counselors objective to provide you with help. Therefore, the end of counseling with your Counselor should not be personal. You know what is best for you and it is your responsibility to communicate the desire to end counseling or seek out a referral.

Q: How many therapists can it take to find the right one? How can

we not be discouraged?

A: It can take meeting with a handful of counselors before finding the right counselor for you. Embracing this process can assist when discouraged. Remember you aren’t meant to like everyone and not liking your Counselor will limit how open you are and the process to get help. Therefore, spend time reviewing profiles of potential counselors on psychology today or good therapy to find the right counselor for you. Meet with the potential counselor and ask all of the questions you have about the process, counselors approach, what to expect in future sessions and how they believe they can help you. Use of these steps can assist you in expediting this process.

Tracy Cooper is a licensed professional counselor and the co-owner of Fit Therapy of Texas, where she helps adults, couples, and teens reach their goals. She understands that life can be hard and full of challenges. Tracy believes counseling can help with navigating through such challengs and would like to help.

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