The fit between the client and the therapist is really important, but finding a the right therapist doesn't have a clear answer because there is a lot of information to weigh, says Dr. Michael Bordieri, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Murray State University. On Sounds Good, Tracy Ross speaks with Dr. Bordieri about ways to find a therapist you're comfortable talking to and willing to be honest with about what you're experiencing.
Most of the major training programs try to produce therapists with general skills. There are, however, many therapists who specialize in certain types of care - especially in urban areas. Treatment providers can specialize in certain types of disorder population like anxiety, trauma and complex personality disorders.
Often the first contact someone has with mental health issues is going to the family physician or doctor. They can refer or help connect you to a therapist. You can also look up therapists online, where they may have a list of specialties or treatments available.
There's still a stigma toward psychological difficulties in our country, Dr. Bordieri says. We see this with implicit biases that people have, for instance the idea that people with mental health issues are more dangerous. Also, there's an idea that seeking help is a sign of weakness - when it's really the opposite, he says.
Psychological difficulties are quite common, about half of college students report experiencing some form of psychological difficulties while in school. Experiencing these things aren't abnormal, he says, and people who come in generally report feeling better after doing so.
Sometimes there's an expectation that things will be magically fixed quickly, but it really doesn't happen that way. Therapy takes work - think of it more like a personal trainer at the gym. The onus is on the client to make the change in their life, he says. While the therapist can guide in the right direction, making someone change won't happen, change needs to come from within.
There's not always a good fit between therapists and clients. He says therapists are trained to ask that question and encourages them to ask it often to their clients: 'do you feel this is working' or 'lets explore other options.' He says he appreciates it when clients let him know this information because often issues can be worked on and bringing this up can lead to a positive experience.
Another important thing to ask when looking for a therapist is asking them how they know the treatment will work or will be helping. This can be an area of contention in therapy because not all providers are using evidence based interventions. You may be working with someone who doesn't have formal training and might not be a licensed mental health provider, though you may think they are.
