How to Evaluate a New Therapist

Treating the symptoms of mental illness cannot be cured by medication alone. Effective therapy must accompany medication for successful treatment. Just like a dosage of medication, one type of therapist will not work for everyone.

Instructions

• 1

  If you have previously received a diagnosis from another therapist or counselor, study it. Books, magazine articles, psychological and psychiatric journals, documentaries, mental health websites and online support groups, are all places that offer plenty of information on mental illnesses and their symptoms. If you have not received a diagnosis, carefully and honestly assess your symptoms. Consider your experiences in light of what you have learned. Understanding the possible causes, symptoms and treatment options of a particular illness or condition allows you to know what to look for in a therapist. Your therapist should have an exhaustive understanding of your illness and your symptoms.

• 2

  Don't settle, but don't be overly critical as well. The key word in 'finding an effective therapist' is effective. You want to find a therapist who has an exhaustive knowledge of your symptoms, but also recognizes your individuality. An effective therapist will certainly challenge you, but they should never be rude, insensitive or inattentive. During your first session or meeting with your therapist, you should both develop a general outline of your treatment plan--your symptoms, your treatment and what you want to get out of therapy.

• 3

  If you find yourself complaining often about your therapist, you should bring up your concerns with him. If he is willing to work on some aspect of therapy that you are uncomfortable with or that is proving ineffective, he should take your concerns seriously and re-design your treatment plan.