Therapy can do great things for many people who deal with mental health issues, or people who are just going through a rough patch in life and need a little guidance. Robert W. Firestone, PhD., a contributor writer for Psychology Today says, "The psycho-therapeutic alliance is a unique human relationship, wherein a devoted and trained person attempts to render assistance to another person by both suspending and extending him or herself." There is a very unique relationship between and a therapist and the client. If you are new to therapy, here are a few things to look for in a therapist.
- Puts the client's best interests at the forefront of the treatment
- Sets aside their personal expectations for outcome of treatment
- Has training/experience in the the approaches best suited for the client's issues
- Keeps appointments and agreements with the client reliably
- Gives the clients his or her full attention during sessions
- Encourages independence from the therapist
- Supports the client in taking incremental steps toward adapting behavior
- Offers assignments between sessions to reinforce work done in the office
Click here to learn more about what to look for in a therapist.