Psychologist – How To Choose The Right Psychologist?

What should you pay attention to when choosing a psychologist? What are the important points after the therapy process begins? What elements will prove that you have chosen the right therapist? Let's try to find the answers to all these questions together.

The field of mental health is quite open to abuse. From unspecialized people posing as experts to non-specialized professionals working in the field, an unethical spectrum can occur. So how do you find the most suitable psychologist or therapist for you in all this chaos? We hope that you can make the right choice for yourself with an objective approach on this subject where everyone has an opinion…

Choosing the Best Psychologist

• Skill: The person you will receive therapy support from must be an expert. Which university did they graduate from, which department, and what is their title?

• Training: Has he/she received any therapy training? A person who has only graduated from the department will not have the necessary competence to sit in the therapy chair.
• Area Of Expertise: What are their areas of expertise? Are they experts in the field you need? In which areas do they specialize in child, adolescent, adult, couples and sexual therapy?

• Suitable For Financial Situation

Is your therapist suitable for your financial situation? Therapy is a long process and it is important not to forget the financial conditions in its continuity.

• First Contact: Therapy starts on the phone. How did your first contact with the therapist make you feel?
• Clear Information: Did you receive clear information about the therapy process when you called to get information?

After Choosing A Therapist

• Are the rules you discussed at the beginning of the process being followed? Duration of therapy, frequency, session fee, cancellation and change conditions, etc.

• Do you feel there is a bond of trust between you and your therapist?

• Do you feel like your therapist's attention is on you during sessions?

• Does your therapist guide you? Therapy is not a direction area. Your therapist should make you think with their questions, and you should find your own way. The therapist who makes suggestions will prevent you from making your own decisions, and will guide your process.

• Are you progressing at the same pace as your therapist? An expert psychologist is aware of the need to give space to their client. They know that when they are ready, they have the freedom to share as much as they want and they do not try to push their client beyond their own pace.

• Are you able to talk comfortably with your therapist about situations that bother you in therapy?

• Do you feel comfortable, free and accepted in the session room?

• Does your psychologist keep his promise of confidentiality?

• Do you feel understood?

When you consider the answers to all these questions within yourself, if all but one answer is yes, then you have chosen the right therapist for you.

Therapy Process

Psychotherapy can be useful and continue to be functional if it progresses at the right time, under the right conditions, with the right people and with the right boundaries. We have tried to list the points you should pay attention to before and after you start seeing a psychologist. If there are any elements that change during the process, you should remember to talk to your therapist about them. 

Remember, this is your process and if you become alienated from your own process, it is not possible for therapy to be functional. You should feel safe. Therapy is a process that attempts to solve problems, aims to increase personal awareness, and aims to help the person understand themselves and their surroundings better.