Professionalism, qualification, specialization and practical methods are the main parameters for searching for “your own” psychologist. The following are important criteria for choosing a specialist who will lead to the correct solution of psychological problems.
The help of a professional psychologist is simply necessary when you find yourself in a difficult life situation or feel that changes are ripe, but you can’t decide. Psychologists resort to chronic stress, family and work conflicts, grief and other problems. What should I look for when choosing a mental health professional?
Choose a psychologist according to your needs. If these are family conflicts, it is best to go to a family psychologist who advises couples. In case of experiences of loss or deep depression, you need to contact a specialist in crisis conditions. There are specialists working with psychosomatic diseases or providing psychological support for long-term chronic diseases.
Of course, the psychologist must have a basic psychological education, advanced training in specific psychotherapeutic methods. For example, for short-term psychotherapy or gestalt therapy. Typically, in the psychologist’s office, certifying documents about education hang in a conspicuous place, if they are not, then do not hesitate to ask about it.
It is important if the psychologist is supervised or has his own consultant. This indicates professionalism, an ecological attitude towards oneself, about the ability to solve one’s own psychological problems without transferring them to the client.
At the first visit, the psychologist should talk about the psychological technique that he owns, discuss the frequency of meetings and the fee for the session, which is usually 50-60 minutes. Please note that if you do not intend to comply with the agreement, skip the session for various reasons, then the prepayment for it is not refundable. It is better to ask in advance on the Internet what the average cost of a psychologist in your area is. A specialist who knows his value will not advise at a lower price. If the price does not suit you, but the psychologist suits you, then you can discuss options. As a rule, psychologists meet and find a mutually acceptable solution.
It is advisable that the specialist has sufficient practical and life experience. In some cases, clients prefer to contact a psychologist of their gender and close age, if this is significant for you, then choose this criterion.
The main thing in the joint work of the psychologist and the client is a trusting relationship. If you have any priority, fundamental for you life values, a certain position or religious beliefs, notify the specialist. It will be easier for a deeply believing, churched Christian to turn to an Orthodox psychologist.
The search for “your own” psychologist may take some time, it is possible that you visit several specialists before you find a psychologist with whom you will be comfortable. But this means that you are already working on yourself and are looking for a solution. Remember that psychological problems are not solved instantly, the time required for their full awareness and change of life must pass.