Selecting a therapist is an important decision and should be done with great care, thought, and evaluation. We often first seek a counselor in times of desperation, which can cloud our judgment. Slow down. The relationship is often long-term, certainly influential, and even intimate in regard to the type of personal information revealed. Such a decision is best made by taking into account a variety of factors ranging from practical (finances, schedule, availability) to personal (faith, style, philosophy).
Recognizing the counselor as your employee hired to lead you from one psychological place to another is valuable in planning the selection and interview process. You are the best expert in what will be most helpful to you in a guide or consultant for your own personal journey. Below are some criteria and questions that you may find helpful as you consider hiring such a guide.
This downloadable Handout offers 14 different qualities you should consider in a therapist, along with prompting questions so you can think through exactly what you’re looking for.