Robert W Garlan, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Counseling § Psychotherapy
(716) 254-4554
142 Bidwell Parkway (at Elmwood)
Buffalo, NY 14222
CHOOSING A THERAPIST
If you are finding it hard to decide on who to call, or you don’t know what to consider, I offer these thoughts…You may have seen on-line directories of therapists of different stripes and not known how to choose (I have a few links to directories below). Most allow you to search by location and by other factors that might be important to you (male vs. female; theoretical orientation; specific types of training and qualification; different degrees and licenses; etc.). However, sometimes these choices just make the task harder by implying that you should take all these factors into account.
It’s easier than you think.
If you already have a distinct preference for any particular factor, by all means follow that. For the rest, most of the time it matters less than you might suppose. For example, the most common “symptoms” that cause people to consider therapy are those associated with stress, depression, and anxiety. Almost any well-trained therapy professional will be able to work with you on that, regardless of what their “specialty” is. Speaking for PhD and PsyD therapists (i.e., Psychologists), most accredited graduate schools are very rigorous and the therapist will tell you if he or she is not appropriate for your situation or needs.
Here is what I think is more important: “Fit.”
Fit refers to how well you work with your counselor or therapist and how comfortable you are with him or her. In particular, something called “working alliance” has been shown in research to be one of the best predictors of good outcomes from therapy. Unlike medical illness or malady – where you don’t have to like your doctor for the antibiotic to work or the bone to heal – very little can happen in psychotherapy without your involvement and willingness to open up. This might take a little time – while you learn whether you can trust your therapist (particularly for couples) and become comfortable with the idea of being open and honest – but it will happen when you have the right professional for you if you give it a chance.
The bad news is there is no way to tell this in advance. The good news is that you can almost always know within one to three sessions. That is one reason I consider the first session(s) to be “consultations,” until both I and my client(s) agree that this is a good match and we agree on how to proceed. This also makes it easier for a client or couple to decide to seek help elsewhere if the fit doesn’t feel right. Once a psychologist has formally entered into therapy with you there are a number of ethical obligations that come with that, so we generally take it pretty seriously.
In one to three sessions you will know whether you have a good working relationship or not. Talk it over with your therapist. Any good therapist would be happy to offer referrals to other professionals if you don’t feel comfortable.
So, I recommend you try this...
- If a therapist has been recommended by someone you trust and who knows you, that’s a pretty good place to start. Make an appointment, see how it goes, feel free to change therapists if the fit is not there.
If that doesn’t work…
1. Do a search by location (e.g., zip code) in one or more directory (listed below or others, or consult your health insurance website); adding restrictions based on male vs. female (if you care) or other things you already have strong feelings about (e.g., a Christian counselor). Don’t get bogged down on minor preferences because 'fit' will be much more important.
2. Pick the therapist who is most convenient – near your home or your job or a regular coffee shop, etc. – or who for whatever reason catches your attention (but keep it somewhat convenient, if possible).
3. Call him or her, briefly describe your situation and ask if he or she works with people in situations like yours and whether you even need to see a therapist. Clarify issues about costs and insurance or any other make-or-break concerns you have. You can also ask about their approach to therapy to see how it strikes you. (Leave your number if you get voicemail and have the conversation when they call you back. Don’t waste this moment of initiative!)
4. If at that point you are feeling okay about the person you are talking to, make an appointment. If you are reluctant to do so, be honest with yourself about whether you have real reservations about this particular psychologist, or whether your reservations are just helping you to avoid dealing with your issue.
The most important thing about getting the help you need? Don’t dither. Spending hours not deciding is just another way to avoid doing something.
(You can practice with me if you like.)
Here is a link to my Home Page: www.RobertGarlan.50webs.com or you can call me at: (716) 254-4554.
Links to some of the main therapist directories.
Therapists in this directory are committed to emphasizing health and the strengths of each individual, and to avoiding seeing every human struggle as an illness or pathology. They do, of course, treat genuine mental illness, but avoid viewing the person as being the same thing as their illness. If I were in a directory, this is probably the first one I would join.
Perhaps the largest directory of all. Try here if you don’t find someone near you from Good Therapy.com.
This is not a directory, per se, but it is a good source of general information about therapy (including about therapist referral resources and other organizations that might be of help to you).
Good Luck and Happy Hunting. Good things await you if you take the first step! Do it now.
(Robert W. Garlan, Ph.D., is listed at AllTherapist.com)