Articles - Choosing a Therapist

OAK LEAVES FAMILY SERVICE COLUMN - NOVEMBER, 1998

My life has been full of turmoil for the past six months and I feel I need professional help but don’t know how to begin the search for a therapist. Any suggestions?

Making the decision to enter counseling and then selecting a therapist can be an anxiety producing experience. After all, you will be sharing with this person some of the more troubling details of your life. Therapist and client are partners in the process of change, working together to achieve the client=s goals. For this reason, it is vital to choose someone with whom you feel confident in their skills and comfortable with. In truth, research shows that the personal qualities of the therapist and therapist/client rapport are more important than the type of therapy employed.

For more information on choosing a therapist check out these resources: Illinois Psychiatric Association -- (312) 263-7391 Illinois Psychological Association -- (312) 372-7610 American Board of Examiners in Clincal Social Work -- 1-800-694-5385 National Association of Social Workers -- (312) 236-8308

Each year, three percent of the American population will seek psychotherapeutic help. In fact, 28 percent of all Americans have had such help at some point in their lives. Most people who come for therapy are simply people with problems who have decided to do something about them. While people seek therapy for a variety of reasons, therapists find several common instigators.

Many people choose to get help because of a crisis in their lives, such as a loss of a relationship, divorce, stress overload or problems with children. Others enter therapy for relief from on-going problems such as depression, unsatisfying relationships, family or marital conflict or drug and alcohol abuse. Others look to therapy to help them explore their full potential.

”Therapy is not only about solving immediate problems but also for improving quality of life,” explains Donna Wodke, LCPC, Coordinator, Crisis and Youth Services at Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park & River Forest. "Today many people turn to therapy for personal growth, to increase self-confidence and self-esteem, to enrich their personal relationships and further their career development."

Before choosing a therapist you should familiarize yourself with the options available to you. Therapy can be provided by a host of specialists including clinical social workers (MSW or MSSW), clinical psychologists (Ph.D., PsyD.), marriage and family therapists (Ph.D. or MA), psychiatrists (M.D. or D.O.), and mental health counselors (Ph.D. or MA). Licensed psychologists, social workers and counselors must complete state licensing exams. While their education and orientation may vary, what is most important is to find a therapist with whom you feel most comfortable.

How do you locate the right therapist for you? A good first step is to ask someone whose judgement you trust, such as your physician or a friend who has been helped by a psychotherapist. You can also check out professional referral organizations, such as the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Psychological Association or Illinois Pyschiatric Associatiion. Local community health agencies, such as Family Service, may assist you with referrar information. If you are in a managed care program, you may want to first check out the list of providers in your HMO or PPO.

Once you’ve come up with a couple of referrals, you should set up an interview to get to know the therapist’s approach and style and to see if he or she shares your same goals for therapy. Most therapists offer initial consultations for a set fee. Wodke suggests using this time as an opportunity to find out about the therapist’s educational background and training; length of time in practice and experience with your kinds of issues or problems; fee schedule and how he or she handles missed appointments; techniques the therapist may use and how they will benefit you; the therapist’s assessment of your problems; and the therapist’s views on specific issues (such as gender roles, marriage and divorce, religion, etc.).

"Pay close attention to how comfortable you feel with the therapist," says Wodke. "If you don't feel a sense of trust, then you can't talk freely and you won’t be able to work out your issues. However, if the therapist doesn't seem right don't let this stop your search -- there is someone out there who is right for you. Remember, your personal awareness, growth and change are important and deserve your committed attention."

Family Service & Mental Health Center of Oak Park and River Forest
120 South Marion Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302
Tel: (708) 383-7500 Fax: (708) 383-7780