Is My Therapist Right for Me?

What's most important for successful therapy? ​

You may start therapy with great hopes and quickly become deflated feeling like nothing will help you. There are several reasons this might happen, but one very important reason is that you don't have the right therapist.

A lot of people think it's about the person's training and expertise, and that is relevant, but even more important is the relationship you have with your therapist. 

A solid relationship produces the best outcomes! ​
Here are the core components of a therapeutic relationship that will produce results!
  • You trust your therapist​
  • You believe your therapist can help you​
  • You feel comfortable and safe sharing with your therapist​
  • You and your therapist have the same goals for therapy​
If one of the core components is not present, it is unlikely your therapist will be able to help you heal from what ails you. That doesn't mean the therapist isn't competent or able to help their clients, it just means they may not be the best fit for you. 

Carl Rogers, a humanistic psychologist, is studied by all individuals seeking to become a therapist. He indicated there were three core components that should be present in every therapeutic relationship: 
  1. Genuineness - the clinician is themself and shows up as authentic
  2. Unconditional Positive Regard - the clinician sincerely cares about the client regardless of what they share or do.
  3. Empathy - the clinician understands the feelings expressed by the client.
It is my belief that this should be the foundation of any and all therapeutic relationships. 

Engaging in therapy in an honest and open way requires vulnerability, and exercises in vulnerability can lead to shame and isolation. As a result, it is incredibly important you feel safe and supported by your therapist, or your work together will be an uphill battle and likely produce very little benefit. 

Consider: 
  • Do you trust your therapist? 
  • Do you believe your therapist is authentic? 
  • Do you feel sincerely cared about by your therapist? 
  • Do you believe your therapist understands what you are facing/feeling? 
If the answer to any of the questions is "no", it may be time to either address the concerns with your therapist or find someone else with whom you can establish a therapeutic alliance. 

More to come on tips to addressing hard issues with your therapist and discontinuing the relationship.  

In the meantime, for more information go to https://www.resolvetorise.com/.

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