The Right Fit Therapist

If you’ve ever scrolled through a directory of therapists, you know it can feel overwhelming. Each therapist typically lists their credentials, specializations, and styles of therapy. Whether you’re familiar with this jargon or not, deciding who to reach out to can feel daunting. You might think you need to find the perfect match on paper before taking that first step of reaching out. It’s natural to feel unsure, especially when you can’t tell if there will be a solid connection from a directory listing or a website.

What could be helpful to know is that one of the most vital parts of your healing journey isn’t the therapist’s credentials, it’s the relationship you build while you’re working together. While techniques and theories matter, it is the human connection between you and your therapist that gives you the courage to explore challenging and difficult parts of your life.

You might wonder if the specific type of therapy (like CBT, IFS, or psychodynamic) is most important. While this has some relevance, research shows that what matters much more is again, that human connection. It’s important to find a therapist you can trust, feel safe with, and who you feel truly sees and understands your perspective. This is what helps you heal and grow.

It takes courage to make the decision to reach out to a new therapist, and to be willing to take the risk of connecting with this person.

Finding the right therapist can take a little time. Trust yourself. If something feels off during the initial phone consultation, or even during the first two to three sessions, it’s okay to look for someone else. The effort is worth it. When you do find the right connection, therapy can become a truly transformative and nurturing experience.
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Ready to take the next step? Contact me to schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation to see whether working together could be a good fit.
 
References:
Flückiger, C., Del Re, A. C., Wampold, B. E., & Horvath, A. O. (2018, May 24). The alliance in adult psychotherapy: A meta-analytic synthesis. Psychotherapy. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pst0000172
Norcross, J. C., & Lambert, M. J. (2018). Psychotherapy relationships that work III. Psychotherapy, 55(4), 303–315.
Wampold, B. E., & Imel, Z. E. (2015). The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work (2nd ed.). Routledge.