Personal and Family Therapy               By a Board-licensed Professional

"Because sometimes you need a NEW PERSPECTIVE on the problem."

What are important qualities in a therapist (in CA)?

Professional qualifications do help you to avoid the con artists and the quacks:

A graduate degree (MA, MS or PhD) in a Behavioral Science;

a State license to practice counseling or psychotherapy - you can check with the licensing Board to make sure they don't have any legal or ethical violations;

and membership in one or more professional associations.

Next look for several years of experience as a therapist. The therapist should have worked with some very serious problems.

As well as professional, how about friendly and down-to-earth? Okay, so I am talking about me.

• Do you want your therapist to adapt his approach to fit you, not the other way around?
• To form a team effort with you, and show respect for your skills and strengths?
• Someone who shares control of your counseling with you?
• Who balances both intellect and emotion in the counseling?
• And a therapist who promotes your religious or spiritual beliefs or core values, not his own?

How DO you select a therapist? ( 6 simple steps)

1. Start with the basic professional qualifications. Get referrals from a professional association, such as the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, or the EMDR International Association. Be aware that inclusion on an insurance list DOESN'T mean the therapist has been assessed for quality, only that they have agreed to work for a discounted fee.

2. See if the therapist will provide information you need to make your selection, via the Web, by e-mail, or over the phone. One who doesn't provide this might be too busy to give adequate attention to your problem. Use caution if the therapist works for a managed care clinic; these can be the most overburdened and ethically challenged professionals.

3. Expect to talk with the therapist on the phone before you set an appointment, but not necessarily for very long. Ask a couple of questions about their philosophy. Ask about their experience with your type of problem. Repeat this with a few therapists. Good therapists don't mind if you are openly shopping around for a good match.

4. After you hang up, comes the most important part. Ask yourself, "HOW DID I FEEL TALKING TO THIS THERAPIST? COULD I OPEN UP TO HIM OR HER? " These are not "touchy-feelie" questions. A lot of research has shown that rapport between client and therapist is a crucial factor in successful counseling, perhaps MORE than professional qualifications.

5. Be willing to go to an initial appointment with more than one therapist if you have any doubts.

6. By the 4^th session with any therapist, you should be able to say that you are getting something out of it, and that you either like or respect your therapist. (This was reported by a research study of clients who had ultimately successful therapy.
Finally, if you simply quit therapy rather than find a helpful counselor, you may be blocking your own efforts at improving your life.
 

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