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With offices in Meridian and Boise, North End Wellness and Counseling has made it its mission to provide quality mental health care in the Treasure Valley while also working to make therapy accessible and helpful for all that choose to pursue it.
For many people, at least initially, the thought of finding the right therapist can be feel a bit intimidating. However, it might be easier than you think to find the right counselor that will suit you and your unique wants and needs. At North End Wellness and Counseling, we have many competent therapists on staff that you can choose from that deal with almost all areas of mental health ranging from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder.
To use a quick analogy, finding a good counselor or psychologist can be like finding a good dentist or doctor. There are many of them out there, and some of them, without doubt, are great. Others, on the other hand, are simply not worth either your time or money. One thing I always tell people to do when they begin the path of searching for a therapist is to check out the therapist’s website and read their reviews and ratings. Similarly, another option is to consult with friends and family about therapists they have had success with in their lives. If a therapist offers a free consultation, that can be a good first step in helping you find the right therapist for you. Another good option is to do something referred to as “therapist shopping” and set up an initial consultation with multiple different counselors and then decide which was the best match. Think of it like dating. It might take several first dates before you find a good match. I would also look to see what specializations fit your specific needs: depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, etc. On top of that, it is important to look at what treatment types fit your specific personality. There are many different treatments approaches used in therapy today ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Rapid Resolution Therapy. It is imperative to look at these different treatment options to make sure the counselor you are looking at is trained in an area that will be of most benefit to you.
Studies have shown that the factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy include:
These studies suggest that when it comes to a person getting better through therapy, 30% has to do with how you connect and work with your therapist (therapeutic alliance). This means that the relationship between the client and therapist is one of the single most important factors in getting better through therapy.
Listed below are seven tips to help you find the right therapist:
1. The most important factor is compatibility of fit regarding working alliance and relationship with your counselor. It is of the utmost importance that you feel connected, safe, and trust your therapist. Therapy, in my opinion, should be enjoyable. So, find a therapist that makes it this way for you.
2. Your therapist should have incredibly strong listening skills and be able to understand you in ways that most people don't.
3. Your therapist should have very strong abilities to analyze what has been going on in your life and consequently be able to help guide you to answers and behaviors that will create long and deep change in your life.
4. Your counselor is both trustworthy and reliable.
5. You get a sense that your psychologist is truly genuine and, therefore, you can connect to the real person behind the professional.
6. If you begin to see positive and real change in yourself or the world around you, then the work you have going on with your therapist is working.
7. The therapist owns their mistakes and take steps to correct them. Therapists are people after all. So, inevitably, mistakes can happen. However, a mistake within a therapeutic setting can be a valuable opportunity for both the client and therapist to grow.
Here are a handful of red flags when it comes to choosing a therapist:
At North End Wellness and Counseling in Boise and Meridian, we have vetted our therapists so that you can feel assured that you will be meeting with a highly qualified counselor who can help to meet your needs. At the end of the day, we are committed to helping you live a better life. So, please feel free to connect with us, and we would be more than happy to help you find the right counselor that fits your unique wants and needs.
For many people, at least initially, the thought of finding the right therapist can be feel a bit intimidating. However, it might be easier than you think to find the right counselor that will suit you and your unique wants and needs. At North End Wellness and Counseling, we have many competent therapists on staff that you can choose from that deal with almost all areas of mental health ranging from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder.
To use a quick analogy, finding a good counselor or psychologist can be like finding a good dentist or doctor. There are many of them out there, and some of them, without doubt, are great. Others, on the other hand, are simply not worth either your time or money. One thing I always tell people to do when they begin the path of searching for a therapist is to check out the therapist’s website and read their reviews and ratings. Similarly, another option is to consult with friends and family about therapists they have had success with in their lives. If a therapist offers a free consultation, that can be a good first step in helping you find the right therapist for you. Another good option is to do something referred to as “therapist shopping” and set up an initial consultation with multiple different counselors and then decide which was the best match. Think of it like dating. It might take several first dates before you find a good match. I would also look to see what specializations fit your specific needs: depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, etc. On top of that, it is important to look at what treatment types fit your specific personality. There are many different treatments approaches used in therapy today ranging from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Rapid Resolution Therapy. It is imperative to look at these different treatment options to make sure the counselor you are looking at is trained in an area that will be of most benefit to you.
Studies have shown that the factors that influence the effectiveness of psychotherapy include:
- Therapist’s Technique
- Client’s Expectancy
- Client’s Extra-therapeutic Factors
- Therapeutic Alliance
These studies suggest that when it comes to a person getting better through therapy, 30% has to do with how you connect and work with your therapist (therapeutic alliance). This means that the relationship between the client and therapist is one of the single most important factors in getting better through therapy.
Listed below are seven tips to help you find the right therapist:
1. The most important factor is compatibility of fit regarding working alliance and relationship with your counselor. It is of the utmost importance that you feel connected, safe, and trust your therapist. Therapy, in my opinion, should be enjoyable. So, find a therapist that makes it this way for you.
2. Your therapist should have incredibly strong listening skills and be able to understand you in ways that most people don't.
3. Your therapist should have very strong abilities to analyze what has been going on in your life and consequently be able to help guide you to answers and behaviors that will create long and deep change in your life.
4. Your counselor is both trustworthy and reliable.
5. You get a sense that your psychologist is truly genuine and, therefore, you can connect to the real person behind the professional.
6. If you begin to see positive and real change in yourself or the world around you, then the work you have going on with your therapist is working.
7. The therapist owns their mistakes and take steps to correct them. Therapists are people after all. So, inevitably, mistakes can happen. However, a mistake within a therapeutic setting can be a valuable opportunity for both the client and therapist to grow.
Here are a handful of red flags when it comes to choosing a therapist:
- You simply don’t seem to be connecting with the therapist.
- The therapist does not spend enough time focusing on your therapeutic goals.
- You get the sense the counselor is not truly listening to you.
- The therapist breaks any sort of doctor-patient confidentiality.
- Any inappropriate behavior whatsoever occurs.
At North End Wellness and Counseling in Boise and Meridian, we have vetted our therapists so that you can feel assured that you will be meeting with a highly qualified counselor who can help to meet your needs. At the end of the day, we are committed to helping you live a better life. So, please feel free to connect with us, and we would be more than happy to help you find the right counselor that fits your unique wants and needs.