webadminIt takes a lot of courage to accept that you or a loved one needs a therapist. If you have already taken this decision then you have covered a major obstacle. However, the road ahead, that is, finding the right psychologists would still require some effort.
Here are a few tips that you can use when looking for a good therapist.
Ask for references: Most of the time we are not comfortable looking for a therapist in the yellow pages or any other database. This is because reliable databases are expensive and a good therapist might not be listed. So, the best way to look for a therapist is to ask for references. Ask your doctor or people around you if they know a good therapist you can get in touch with. Other options for looking for a therapist is the internet, schools, and universities. Your child’s school or university would have a counselor on board. Get in touch with them, they will be able to guide you to a qualified therapist. Also, remember that you do not need to discuss your problem with anyone when asking for references.
Know whom you want to see: It is important to know whom you want to see. Understand the difference between psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. All these are specialists in their own fields and cater to different needs.
Look online: An online database would have a listing of qualified doctors. Online platforms require a person to have minimum qualifications. These would also provide information like areas of expertise, years of experience, verified contact details and sometimes, even free consultations.
Opt for telehealth: Telehealth allows one to talk with a psychiatrist through online digital platforms. These can be arranged according to the patient’s convenience and are a timesaving option. Opting for telehealth will allow you to get in touch with good therapists from all over the world. It is also a more practical option as online sessions are less expensive than in-person therapy.
Identify what are want from your therapy: When the therapist understands your goals and works with you in the same direction to achieve these, the journey becomes smoother and goes faster. The goals of a person change with therapy. However, you need to ensure that you are frank with your therapist in sharing these and updating them.
Be open: As far as mental health disorders are concerned, medication management works well with psychotherapy in overcoming the problem. Be open to accepting therapy as a part of your treatment program. Don’t think that therapies are not for you. If your doctor recommends a therapy, but you have doubts, talk to them about the procedure and the expected outcomes. Being open means being receptive to the therapy.
Collect multiple references: When you are researching for a therapist, shortlist two or three names. This way, if you are not comfortable with a therapist, you will be able to switch to another one without wasting much time.
The road ahead
Mental health illnesses are compound and require expert opinion. They can be caused by a number of factors which can be effectively diagnosed by a doctor. With science advancing to new levels, it has become possible for doctors to treat these conditions effectively. Seeking help at the earliest ensures that timely medical intervention is provided to the suffering person.
Mind Health Network is known for connecting people requiring mental health care with mental health treatment centers offering suitable support in a favorable environment for long-term healing. The team of professionals at our center is committed towards delivering compassionate and skill-based assistance. Our wide range of network facilities have developed reliable and efficient inpatient treatment programs for mental health to provide treatment and therapy for majority mental health disorders.
If you or a loved one is battling a mental health disorder, reach out to us at Mind Health Network. You can call our 24/7 mental health treatment helpline for more information about mental health treatment centers near you. You can also chat online with our admission counselor to learn more about treatment programs as well as about our network of mental health treatment centers.
