Thread: Getting in...
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Old Jul 07, 2013, 12:27 AM
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refika refika is offline
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Member Since: Jan 2013
Location: USA
Posts: 251
The best thing to do is call all three therapists and talk to them on the phone. See how the conversation goes, do you feel a positive feeling that you can work with them about your issues? Are they willing to work with you or do they see you as just another client?

Then meet them, meet all three of them one at a time, so you can compare them to each other and get to know differences and similarities between them. This way, you can pick the one you feel you can work with the best.

I got lucky and the first T I called is the one I'm with now. However, my former marriage counselor, who was okay for marriage counseling, I could never work with him one on one (he also does individual therapy).

I prefer T's who have websites with detailed information about them (educational background, their psychological philosophies (Jung, Freud, etc), and their areas of treatment. However, some of the best T's may not have websites due to being less than savy with computers or seeing the importance of a website. I would not dismiss a T who has been practicing for 4 years. Again, interview them and see. They could turn out to be someone you like working with, and quite knowledgable.

I also would suggest not dismissing a T just by the initial phone call or the first visit. When I first called my T, he expressed uncertainty about whether he can help me, based on what I told him my problem was (motorcycle accident). He said "I don't know if I can help you, but come in and let's talk and take it from there". I remember hanging up the phone after making an appointment thinking it would be a waste of my time. That was six months ago and we are working well together.

Most of all, follow your instinct and go with what feels right. If none of these three work out, you will find others to "interview". Working with a Therapist is a significant commitment, you want one that you can feel comfortable working with early on.
Thanks for this!
CastlesInTheAir, Hope-Full