In 2020, 48% of American households had someone see a professional for a mental health difficulty. But how many of those people went to the best psychologist for them?
If you’re ready to start seeing someone for your health and wellbeing, you want to make sure that you’re getting off on the right foot with the right psychologist. Keep reading to find out how to find the best psychologist for your mental health needs.
Get Referrals
One of the best ways to vet and find a local psychologist is to ask around. Of course, you can’t just ask any person if they’re in therapy and who they see. But if you have a close relationship with someone and you know they see a psychologist, you can ask what practice they recommend or if they have someone they’re no longer seeing that they recommend.
Consider Experience Level
When looking at psychologists, take a look at how long they’ve been in the business. Even if a psychologist went to a less prestigious school than another, if they’ve been doing it for longer, they may have the life experience to make them a better psychologist.
However, if you’re on a budget and not in need of serious intervention, you may consider an intern. These psychologists are fully trained but lack experience. They have lower rates while they gain the necessary experience through you.
Consider Gender and Other Background
There’s no piece of personal background information that one psychologist could have that makes them better than another psychologist. But these pieces of background information may make it easier for them to relate to you. They may also make it easier for you to open up to the psychologist.
Do you want to have the same gender as your psychologist? Do you want to have the same religious beliefs or racial background? Do you want to come from the same part of the country or have a similar economic background? These are all things worth considering.
Research Psychology Methods
The healthcare industry has multiple methods to treat mental health struggles. There’s mindfulness, DBT, CBT, and many more. While looking for a psychologist, also do some reading about these different methods, what they treat, and what you can expect from them.
Find a Psychologist Who Specializes
If you know that your need for a psychologist stems from a particular trauma or experience, you may consider finding a psychologist who specializes in that area. This way you know that the focus will be on healing from those specific wounds for optimal health.
Some psychologists specialize in sexual trauma, religious trauma, addiction, familial problems, and many more areas.
Do Some Trial Sessions
It’s a good idea to treat finding the right psychologist a little bit like dating. You don’t have to commit to regularly seeing the first psychologist you sit down with. Try a couple of trial sessions. Have a quick chat over the phone before scheduling a meeting.
During these preliminary talks, feel out the chemistry. There’s nothing wrong with not feeling at ease with a person. Try out psychologists until you find the one you do feel good with. You can use a service like www.thrive.ae to make it easier.
Find the Best Psychologist
A lot of the time, the best psychologist is the one who most meets your needs. There are a lot of psychologists in the world, but the best one is the one with whom you feel like you can be open, who uses an approach you believe in, and who can address your specific needs.
Want more mental health wellness advice? Check out our Lifestyle section.
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