Taking the first step to reach out for professional help can be daunting. You’re trying to find the right person to support you in exploring what’s troubling you. How do you go about that? 

What to look for in a therapist 

You could begin by seeing what their qualifications are and if they’re registered with one or more professional bodies. Do they offer sessions in person, online, or both? Are there particular areas of interest or expertise that they specialise in? Is their online directory or website profile professional in content and appearance? Are their fees clearly stated?  

When making initial contact 

Does the therapist provide several easy ways of making contact? Do they respond quickly to your initial enquiry? Does the therapist offer a free initial consultation by phone or online to enable you to meet before committing to a first session? You will form your first impressions from this initial meeting. It is important that you feel the therapist is organised, focused, and available to fully be with you during the call. It is equally important that you do not feel pressured into arranging your first full therapy session unless, and until, you feel ready to do so. You may decide to book a future session during this initial meeting, or to think about it further and let the therapist know your decision when ready.  

Trust your intuition 

If you come away from your initial phone call or zoom meeting feeling reassured about the next step in the therapy process, hopeful, even uplifted, that is a positive sign that you felt safe in your interaction with the therapist. Despite the questions above, there is no checklist as such for deciding if the therapist is right for you, other than your gut reaction. So, trust your instinct, your intuition, because you’re probably right. Starting therapy can seem like a big step but if the therapist feels like a good fit for you, then be confident in your decision and book your first session where support and self-discovery await you.