Lots of people on here looking for new therapists. Lots of people on here with bad past therapy experiences. Lots of people on here with positive experiences.

So, in our collective opinion, what's the best way for a client to ensure that they have a positive or at least neutral/non-harmful therapy experience?

I would say, in no particular order:

- do as much research on the therapist as you can beforehand, including a visit to your state's licensure database to see if there are past or pending complaints against the therapist

- keep in mind that for most of us (there are exceptions depending on circumstances), just as we are in a position to hire a therapist, so too we are in a position to fire them. I'm not saying threaten to fire them as some sort of manipulation, I'm saying remember that fact, because it will affect your experience.

- don't let the therapist too far inside your head. That may mean different things to different people. For me it means keeping some reserve between us - no touching, stay focussed on whatever brought you into therapy as much as possible, etc. (And it's entirely possible this rule is unique to me. Your mileage may vary. )