Picking the right therapist

I know, I know - it is very confusing. How do you pick a therapist and then know if you've got the right one? Here are some tips that might help you decide:

1. You feel comfortable with your therapist

2. You are able to open up and share what you think and feel without fear of being judged

3. Your therapist listens to you and makes you her/his/their focus during therapy

4. You feel safe and understood by your therapist

5. You feel your therapist is trustworthy and honest with you - even if it means you sometimes don't really like what she/he/they shares with you

6. You can share your deepest, darkest feelings with your therapist with the confidence that she/he/they will try to understand and not blame you or make you feel guilty

7. You find yourself thinking about things that were discussed in the session - this indicates conscious awareness of areas for you to work on

8. You look forward to your therapy sessions because you know it's one place you can be accepted for who you are

9. Your therapist cares about you and you can feel this in the conversation, the exercises, etc. during the session

10. You feel respected and acknowledged by your therapist

If you don't feel the above, then it is time for you to probably look around for a different therapist