Choosing
a therapist, whether online or
from an insurance provider list,
can be a daunting task.
The first step is determining
which type of therapist you
need. The therapists listed in our
directory provide their license or
certification information which is
available to the consumer for
verification through their state's
regulating body.
Decide whether you want to see a
therapist in their office, or use
online or 'eTherapy' and consult
with a therapist online. Our
online counseling site.
There are many types of licensed
mental health professionals,
differing in educational
backgrounds, training, licensure
philosophy and technique.
Regardless of the degree, you
should always interview a
prospective therapist about
their experience and training
with similar concerns to yours.
Many of us enter therapy hoping
to get some quick relief from
the distress that we are
experiencing. We are aware that
therapy is costing us a lot in
terms of time, money, and energy
and we want to see some
immediate results, especially
when we are in pain.
It is important that you talk
with your therapist about your
expectations and needs from
therapy. A good therapist will
welcome this, and want to
empower you, not make you
dependent. Just like any
relationship, the more you know
and can express what you want,
the better chance you will have
of receiving that.
You may be entering therapy for
the first time and not have a
sense of what needs to happen
other than you want to feel
better. It is important to
express this as well. Here is a
list of what we have seen to be
true for many people about
therapy:
- It takes time to establish
a trusting relationship with
a therapist.
- It is important to go at
your own pace and not
overwhelm yourself.
- We all resist change.
Don't be surprised if you
are tempted to quit right
before some real changes or
breakthroughs are about to
happen.
- Becoming more healthy and
balanced can feel very
unfamiliar and uncomfortable
at first.
- Being committed to therapy
will change your life. Be
prepared to feel some loss
from this.
- Others may resist your
changes and growth and will
need time to adapt.
- Therapy is hard work.
- Your therapist is not
perfect and will make
mistakes. Hopefully he or
she will acknowledge and
take responsibility for
those mistakes.
- Some therapy is short term
(usually focusing on one
issue and situational) and
other therapy may be longer
term (more than one or
complex issues.)
- Expect your therapist to
have good boundaries, avoid
dual relationships, be
ethical, and treat you with
respect. If not, find
another therapist.
Remember that therapy, in the
hands of a skilled therapist, is
a powerful and life-changing
experience. It has been shown to
be effective for a variety of
illnesses and problems. If you
need therapy and work as an
active participant in your own
treatment, you can expect it
will be well worth the time and
money you invest.
Welcome
to Christian Therapists.US 