How To Choose A Therapist - Connect For Therapy, LLC - Free Referral to Therapist For Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, and Family Issues

How To Choose A Therapist
source: Trauma Recovery Resource Network

Sometimes events that people experience or witness cause emotional pain and injury. Because of this event some people may feel overwhelmed and may need help dealing with the emotions, behaviors, and problems that result. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 30 million Americans need help dealing with events and their aftermath which seem beyond their control, such as crime, accident, disaster, traumatic grief, violence, and situations where they have felt helplessness, hopelessness, and horror. Grief, depression, stress, traumatic stress, or substance abuse may result. Many of the disorders and mental injuries that are described in the preceding page on trauma effect the stresses of daily living and can, at times, be significantly debilitating.

Many survivors of traumatic events seek outside help from a trained, licensed professional or an agency that specializes in services related to a type of traumatic event such as child abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault or in a specific issue like eating disorders in order to work through these problems. Through therapy, trauma counselors help survivors live healthier, more productive lives.

When Should You Seek Outside Help?

The American Psychological Association suggests that you should seek help when:

You feel an overwhelming and prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness, and your problems do not seem to get better despite your efforts and help from family and friends.
You are finding it difficult to carry out everyday activities. For example, you are unable to concentrate on assignments at work, and your job performance is suffering as a result.
You worry excessively, expect the worst, or are constantly on edge.
Your actions are harmful to yourself or to others. For instance, you are drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs, or becoming overly argumentative and aggressive.

The psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals work with clients to change their feelings and attitudes about the trauma they experienced so that the event no longer has such a negative impact on their life. Sometimes this means that people need help to change their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. What most trauma survivors indicate they need is a supportive environment to talk openly and confidentially about concerns and feelings about what happened to them or to someone important to them.

The American Psychological Association suggests that to choose a therapist you should look for the following:

Graduate education and/or post-graduate training in a mental or medical health field such as psychology in the fields of clinical, school, community, or rehabilitation counseling, social work, nursing, etc.
Licensing or certification through the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing in areas such as Licensed Psychologist, Certified Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Counselor, Independent Social Work Practitioner, Advanced Practice Social Worker, Certified Social Worker, Certified Addictions and other Drug Counselor or through the Department of Public Instruction as a School Psychologist or School Social Worker. There other licenses and certification bodies through other states and professional associations that provide services to trauma survivors. Certified therapists in Dance and Movement Therapies, Art Therapies, Recreation Therapies, and Music Therapies often work with survivors to give their trauma a voice. Licensure laws are intended to protect the public by limiting licensure to those persons qualified.
Some counselors may be certified in the field of Trauma Counseling itself. Belonging to the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Work all require that the professional adhere to a strict code of professional ethics.
Agencies that specialize in serving specific populations such as abused women, combat veterans, refugees, sexual assault, or crime victims are also good sources of therapy and Connection.

The American Psychological Association recommends that you consider the following in selecting a therapist:

The therapist's credentials,
The therapist's or the agency's particular expertise in the traumatic event or the trauma injury, such as PTSD, that describes your experience. Some agencies only see combat veterans or abused partners. Some specialize in dissociation, eating disorders, or substance abuse. Some only do marriage and family counseling, see only children, or only use a specific type of therapy such as cognitive behavioral or EMDR.
How their approach to treatment would help your specific issue. Question them concerning their expertise and training in this treatment approach.
Your level of personal comfort and rapport with the therapist and the agency, if relevant,
Their fee schedule. Fees are usually based on a 45 minute to 50 minute session. Determine if they have a sliding-scale fee policy and what types of insurance they accept. Some require direct payment and some will bill payment to your insurance company.
Whether you are required to get a Connection from your primary physician or managed care carrier. Some insurance programs require specific procedures be followed. Determine what your insurance or Medicare/Medicaid requires in order for the therapy to be covered.

Survivors of trauma report that some forms of psychotherapy can effectively decrease depression, anxiety, and related symptoms. People don't "just get over it" nor do they "get on with life" after trauma. There is convincing evidence that most people who have at least several sessions of psychotherapy are far better off than individuals with emotional difficulties who are untreated.

Once you select a therapist, you will work collaboratively with them to determine the goal or goals of therapy. You will know whether therapy is working if you begin to overcome feelings of hopelessness associated with depression or control a fear that is disrupting your daily life. Remember, certain goals require more time to reach than others. You and your therapist should decide at what point you may expect to begin to see progress. It is common for trauma survivors to initially have difficulty discussing painful and troubling experiences. It will take time for you to trust your therapist. When you begin to feel relief or hope, it can actually be a positive sign indicating that you are starting to explore your thoughts and behavior. Then the work of healing begins.