Am I the right therapist for you?
This may sound a strange subject for a blog on my own website but it’s really important to be clear that, in simple terms, I’m not the right therapist for everyone. I’m not about to reel off everything that I don’t work with but I thought it might be useful to share why some people might not want to work with me.
Therapists are like anything else that you invest your money in; there are many choices and you won’t like all of them!
You won’t like every car on the road, every film at the cinema or even every flavour of ice cream so why would every therapist suit your needs?
Here are some points to consider when you’re looking for a therapist to support you and I’ll include where I fit in along the way. I’ve broken it down into categories to help clarify different considerations when looking for someone to support you. Some are practically based, others are more personal to the type of therapy I offer.
Here are some points to consider:
Geography
For many people, the practicalities of finding someone is the first consideration. I’m based just outside of Reading and work both in person and online but if you want to see someone in person and I’m out of your area, you may want to start your search with your geographical location to find someone near to where you live.
Qualifications & Experience
Accreditation: Are they registered with a professional body – I’m an Accredited Member of the NCPS (National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society) and the National Hypnotherapy Society. Finding someone who is accredited with a professional organisation gives you the confidence of being protected by their code of ethics and complaints system.
Specialist Training: Do they have experience with the specific issue you’re seeking help for (e.g., anxiety, trauma, menopause, fertility, etc.)? I have a special interest in supporting women with their reproductive health but also work with anxiety, stress, low mood, low confidence, phobias and a number of other areas. There are, however, many things I don’t work with and I’ll always say if it’s not my area to work with. If you’re looking for couples counselling then look for a therapist who is trained in this area as it is a specialist area to work in. I don’t work with couples so will always direct you to find someone suitably qualified.
Therapeutic Approach: Are they trained in approaches that suit your needs? I work in an integrative way through counselling, hypnotherapy and NLP. I don’t specifically offer CBT so if you’re looking for a CBT therapist, include it in your search when you start looking for support.
Personal Fit
Connection: Do you feel comfortable and safe talking to them? Trust and rapport are essential. I always advise that you speak to at least a couple of therapists and trust your instincts as to who feels the right person to work with.
Style: Are they more reflective and listening-focused, or do they offer structured tools and techniques? I have a very conversational style which may not suit everyone but I find works well for my clients. I also suggest a variety of tools when working with clients if it’s relevant to the client.
Cultural Sensitivity: Do they respect your background, identity, values, or lived experience? You may want to work with someone from your own culture or background. It’s important to feel comfortable with the person you’re working with.
Gender: You may specifically want to work with a man or woman.
Practical Considerations
Availability: Do their appointment times suit your schedule? I can be reasonably flexible but finding someone who has availability when you’re free is a factor.
Fees: My charges are in line with other therapists and reflect my training and experience.
Reviews
Online Reviews or Testimonials: You can see my reviews here.
I hope that helps give you some ideas about what to look for in a therapist and if I’m not the right person to support you for whatever reason, then you will have more of an idea of what to look for when you’re exploring how someone else can help.
If I do seem to be the right person to help you, then the next step is to send me an email and we’ll arrange time for a chat for me to find out more about what you’re struggling with and explain how I can help. You’re then welcome to think about it and if you want to continue, get in touch when you’re ready.
I hope you found this blog helpful and if you do have any further questions, please just send me an email and I’ll be happy to answer them.