Putting your mental health in someone else’s hands, e.g a therapist can be an intimidating prospect, but finding your fit makes the world of difference. Here are a few things to be aware of before you take the plunge.

So, you’ve  decided it’s time for therapy. Now what? How do you choose the right person to guide you through mental-health struggles and uncomfortable conversations? Therapy requires you to reveal some of your most intimate thoughts and feelings, so you want to make sure your therapist is someone you feel comfortable being vulnerable in front of. Choosing the right therapist for you is dependent on many factors, so before you plop onto the couch, there are a few things you might want to consider in order to make an informed decision.

Psychotherapy versus psychiatry 
These are easily confused as they both involve therapy in the broad sense, but they are very different fields; psychologists and therapists use counselling to tackle unresolved issues, whereas psychiatrists are medical doctors who are trained to treat mental disorders and can prescribe medication. Both are required by law to register with the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa). People often seek out the help of a psychiatrist for a more comprehensive assessment, or if therapy alone isn’t helping. In some cases, psychiatrists and psychologists will work together to provide patients with the best possible treatment.

Do your research?
Googling ‘psychologist near me’ is likely to yield a good couple of results, but it’s not necessarily going to make your decision easier. A good starting point is to ask people in your friendship circle for recommendations – you might find it useful to pose the question on your neighbourhood Facebook or WhatsApp group if location is an important factor. Just be aware that different therapists offer different treatments, and what works for someone else may not be right for you. Seek out someone who specialises in issues that match what you’re experiencing – examples of common psychological fields of interest are depression and anxiety, ADHD, relationship problems, eating disorders, substance abuse, or grief.Most psychologists will have an ‘about me’ page and list their specialisations and interests on their website, so this can help to narrow down your selection.Other factors you might want to consider when choosing your therapist are things such as language, gender,age and religion. Do you need to speak to someone who can speak your native tongue? Would you be more comfortable with a man, woman or non-binary person? Would you prefer someone who is around your age or older than you? And does their religious affiliation make a difference to you at all?

Making contact
Once you’ve whittled down a couple of options, reach out to your shortlisted therapists to find out more information or share any concerns you have. You can, of course, send through questions via email, but giving them a call will give you a better idea of their personality and whether you ‘click’ with them or not. When you make contact, ask the therapist for details about their qualification, specialisation, consultation rate, medical-aid affiliation and ground rules regarding booking appointments, payment for missed appointments, and contacting them during an emergency. It’s helpful to share some information about your background, specific issues you’re facing, and what you aim to achieve through therapy.Since the onset of the pandemic, many health professionals have adapted to the effects of lockdown by offering virtual therapy sessions, so if receiving therapy via a video call is more convenient for you, ask the therapist if this would be possible. Alternatively, you may feel that being in the physical presence of a therapist will be more beneficial to you.

What to expect from your first session
Once you’ve made your choice, it’s time to take the plunge and make an appointment. At the start of the session, your therapist might share a bit more about their approach to therapy, and they might ask you to sign some forms to disclose your personal details, medical history and medical-aid information. You can rest assured that everything you speak about with your therapist remains confidential – exceptions to this are if they are concerned that you are in imminent  and are obliged to disclose information about you. The initial session can be nerve-racking, as you’ll no doubt have a ton of things on your mind and be unsure of how to begin the conversation. Remember that therapists are trained to ask guiding questions, so if the words don’t tumble out of you straight away, they’ll ask questions about your current mood and your motivation for engaging in therapy. They might also touch on your living situation, career, relationship(s), childhood and parent dynamic. Ultimately, going for therapy doesn’t mean that you are broken or that there’s something ‘wrong’ with you, and you don’t have to wait for a significant event to make an appointment with a therapist – in fact, many people value therapy because of the opportunity it offers to gain better insight into their personality and emotional triggers, and some may see a therapist regularly for most of their adult life. It’s an extremely individualised treatment and depends entirely on your own personal needs. Whether you’re adjusting to a new life phase, restoring a relationship, recovering from a trauma, or simply want to improve your self-awareness, therapists provide invaluable tools for self-directing your mental health. 

Words by Emma Follett-Botha
Photography: Pexels