If you are having difficulty in your life that you are unable to resolve yourself, seeing a therapist is a brave, proactive step. There is no better “first resort” than finding a therapist who is a good fit for you. However, it is important to qualify that seeing any therapist may not be enough to help you “fix” your issues and make you feel better. You have to see a good therapist to benefit from your sessions.

Just like in any profession, finding a professional is easy, but finding one who can help you on your journey toward a more fulfilling life may not be. What makes a therapist good, and how can you find the right one?

The Perfect Match

Not all client-therapist relationships are created equal. Finding a good match for you may take some effort and time. Without the right ingredients in your relationship, all it can be is a “short-lived affair.” For a good working relationship, the right parameters have to be present.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to say what makes the best match. You can start by looking at professional attributes—professional readiness, technical adeptness and proficiency, and memberships in professional associations.

Professional Training and Experience

You want to entrust your emotional health and life to someone who knows what they are doing and has experience in the field that matches your needs. Do not hesitate to ask about training and/or experience – many websites offer this information about your potential therapist.

Your therapist’s training and proficiency are important in their ability to help you recover faster, as well as to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment. In order to renew their license with their licensing board, most NC licensed therapists must complete a minimum of 40 contact hours of Continuing Education every two years.

Proof of Practice

There is no other way to validate a therapist’s standing in the counseling community than by seeing their credentials: certificates, diplomas, licenses, etc. They should be able to show you current licenses and IDs as attestations of their legitimate practice, standards, and affiliations.

These credentials speak volumes about your prospective therapist. They are testimonies of their commitment and practice. They confirm the therapist’s good standing, competence, and strict compliance with state laws and the code of professional ethics that covers their practice.

Philosophy and Approaches/Techniques

How would your therapist approach your concerns? A good therapist will freely answer questions you have about the process, address concerns as you bring them up.

A good therapist will not want you to be a stranger in your own treatment, and will, therefore, explain to you the reasons for preferring a particular approach or technique and help you make informed decisions along the way.

Personal Qualities

The personal traits of a therapist are usually the first thing you will sense that affects your chemistry. Just as you can readily say whether you want to go out with a person on a second date, you will know whether you want to come back for a second session with your therapist. 

The therapist’s personal traits can be sensed even if the first session is spent talking about you. They will naturally emerge as they ask you questions, guide you to express your thoughts and feelings, and explain the therapy process to you. They will be revealed in the way the therapist looks at you, listens to your words, and waits for you to compose yourself as you are assailed by waves of confusing emotions.

Personal concern can’t be masked by a professional stance. You will sense sincere interest and genuine care, and it will feel natural to trust them. With the right therapist, you will feel comfortable right away in your heart.

Your Search for “The One”

Finding your match in therapy doesn’t have to be as hard as finding true love. The key is to call Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC, which independently contracts highly trained, competent, and experienced therapists. When you need emotional healing, you want to be in good hands to resolve your issues without fear. While there is no clear-cut formula for how to find the right therapist for you, calling Carolina Counseling Services – Pittsboro, NC, is a good start.