There comes a time in the life, when rude words, taunts, threatening tone, and disturbing past events, pinches your heart and soul, which you try not to think of, but you couldn’t. You feel a need for someone to listen but without judging you. Sometimes, it is difficult to find a person around except a dummy doll or a pet, but it wouldn’t relieve you well. In that case, a psychotherapist is your solution.
Who is a psychotherapist?
Psychotherapist helps people who struggle with stressful problems such as anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. In short, psychotherapist conducts a talk therapy, in which you will be allowed to de burden your heart, he will not judge you based on whatever you share and would not reveal your talk to anyone. You can tell him everything that bothers you, that you want to share, you cannot keep yourself anymore and that you could not reveal to your girlfriend or dad.
Not necessarily that people who have mental health problems could only visit therapists but people with no stress and want to share their thoughts with somebody decent and reasonable, can also meet a psychotherapist.
Psychotherapist is an umbrella term, and many health professionals come in this category that deals with mental health problems. So you need to know first which type of mental health professional could help you the most. For instance, a psychiatrist is a trained medical health professional, who has specialized in psychiatry. A psychiatrist is a certified psychotherapist too. Similarly, Psychologists have ph. D qualification, and they are also certified to take psychotherapy sessions. Additionally, Clinical social worker, counsellor marriage, and family therapist have certifications up to master’s level, and they also offer psychotherapies.
When should I consider therapy?
It is essential to know who should therapy. You can take one if,
- You suffer a constant feeling of worthlessness, sadness (especially without any reason), low energy, helplessness. Help from friends and family do not impact how you feel.
- You feel anxious, uncontrolled worry about the future and cannot stop thinking about the past which does not even mean to you anymore.
- You have a desire to suicide, harm anyone else and drug/ alcohol abuse.
How can I find the best therapist to lessen my mental stress?
Your voice is heard! This article is for you, to clear all your ifs and buts and clear your way towards finding the best psychotherapist.
First, ask yourself:
Before initial research, you need to ask yourself either you want any preference regarding sex, religion, age, and qualification in your therapist? For instance, being a female, you might be more comfortable and inclined to share with the same-aged female therapist, instead of an old-aged male. Therefore, make it decide all your preferences before you begin your therapist search.
Suggestions and Opinions: Generally, whenever stepping in something new, it is considered a good idea to ask for an opinion from the closer ones if they have known someone better. However, the advice is always free, listen and think if you feel it is productive and helping if not-never mind! Move forward.
Begin your online hunt: Internet is the true blessing in this modern and advance time. But beware! Not everything on the internet is entitled to be trusted. Many websites would claim 100% guarantee and a few of them might have fabricated reviews to make people fool. Try to find ones that talk real and do not claim something unreal.
Types of therapies
Also look for which type therapy could benefit you, based on your problems. I have brought you a quick review of a few common ones, as follow:
Psychoanalytic therapy: It works with your past events, impacting your present. Therapy session could last from months to years.
Cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT): It deals with problematic thinking related to present events. It helps to reroute your thoughts and life towards a healthy pathway.
Humanistic therapy: Helps discover and unveil the real-self behind the bitter realities of life and hardships, who make us forget what we are? Thus, helping to realize the self-worth.
Artistic therapy: A unique style, which is is non- verbal. Instead, art projects are used to bring out your creativity, enhancing your cope with bitter experiences and emotions.
A few more therapies (narrative, solution and emotion-focused therapies) help to cope with relationships and other mental stress. Moreover, you can combine and use more than one therapy as per the exact outcome you want.
Therapy charges
It is of great paramount importance because it would be a waste of time interrogating about a psychotherapist, which is out of your affordability. It is indispensable to define your budget and, look for how much your health insurance could share the therapy cost.
In-depth review of profiles:
Suppose you have shortlisted a few psychotherapists which might be a good match based on your requirements. Wait! Do not get impressed with good-looks of the profile picture. Instead, ask and arrange a short call of 10-15 minutes. Interact and realize if you are comfortable to communicate. Also, if you can trust talking about your personal life and if you like his attitude. However, if the therapist is talking too much or just listening to you like a dummy doll, you might get a problem later. If all the enquiries give you a green signal, go ahead.
During a phone call with the therapist:
I get questions about how to interact and what to speak except for my problems with the therapist? So here I gather a few questions for you. Ask,
- For how long the therapist is working in this field?
- About the areas of expertise
- Credentials/education.
- If the therapist has dealt with a similar case before.
- Charges per session.
Before starting the therapy-mark the boundaries:
It is one of the vital steps to have a healthy relationship with your therapist. A professional therapist behaves and portrays a friendly behaviour to help you unwire your thoughts and give you the courage to speak about mental problems. Nevertheless, the therapist is not your actual friend. There is a difference between attachment, friendship and therapist relationship. A therapist is your good wisher, healer, and helper to reroute you to a healthy path- not your friend. Therefore, do not relate to unreal expectation. Avoid being emotionally dependant and attached. However, beware if your therapist tries to talk about intimacy and engages you sexually or shows interest in your business and financial matters, it is a red signal for you to change your therapist.
What if things do not work?
If things do not go well, never feel shy to seek another one as you are not bound to remain stick with one therapist. There is no problem if you choose a few therapists before you decide the best one.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
