Tips for Finding the Right Therapist: Part One

When you finally make the decision to seek therapy, you may feel like you don’t know where to begin. Unlike searching for a primary care physician or a dentist, you can’t just search for a therapist online and make an appointment with the first one you see. Many therapists have different specialities or use different types of therapy. In order to get the most out of your sessions, it’s important to do your research and find a therapist who is right for you.

At Long Island Counseling, we offer an extensive list of counseling services for couples and individuals. Our therapist, Lisa Lempel-Sander, is more than happy to provide residents of Long Island with the couple’s and individual therapy that they need to live a happier life. Learn more about our services, and continue reading below for a few tips that will help you choose the right therapist for your needs.

Research the Different Methods

Many people are under the impression that therapy involves going to an office, sitting down on a couch, and talking about your feelings. However, there are many different methods of therapy, and certain methods may work better for you than others. When people think of therapy, the method they often envision is called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is where the therapist prompts the client to talk about their feelings and gives them different tactics to help them eliminate negative thinking. That being said, there are other methods such as psychoanalytic therapy, existential therapy, anger management, collaborative therapy, and many more.

Before you begin the search for a therapist, it’s a good idea to research the different methods of therapy that are available. As you research, reflect on the problems you are trying to solve and how you would like to solve them. From there, you should have a better idea of what kind of therapy will work best for you, and it will help you narrow down the therapists that are available in your area.

Ask for Recommendations

Once you have an idea of what type of therapy you’re looking for, ask your close friends and family if they have any recommendations. Asking for recommendations from people you trust is a great way to find a good therapist because you can trust them to give you open and honest advice. Take note of any recommendations that are consistent from person to person, as well as what they have to say about therapists that were not a good fit. If they recommend a few different therapists, then you may want to schedule an appointment with each of them. There is nothing wrong with trying a few different therapists to help you narrow down your options, because you want to feel comfortable opening up to them during your sessions.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment?

If you live in Long Island or the surrounding areas, and you are currently searching for a therapist you trust, then Long Island Counseling is here to help. We offer both couple’s and individual therapy for those who want to live a better and happier life. Whether you’re struggling with depression and anxiety, trauma, or you want to strengthen your marriage, we are ready to give you the guidance and tools you need. Keep an eye out for part two of our series where we will give you even more tips to help you find a therapist, and contact Long Island Counseling to get started today!