The Essential Steps to Selecting a Therapist You Can Trust

Finding the right therapist is a transformative step in your mental health journey. However, a "wrong" therapist, could do more harm than good.

Here's how you could go about finding your therapist

Reflect on your motivations to explore therapy

Are you interested in self-discovery, processing significant events (job loss, breakups, moving countries etc), or would you like to heal the anxious/sad/lonely parts of you? There are many, many different types of therapists that will help you achieve different goals.

Understand the bare minimum any therapist needs to provide.

A non-judgemental, unconditionally respectful, and compassionate space. When you find the right therapist for you, what you'll really discover is a space that makes you feel safe, seen, heard, and at the best of times, deeply understood.

Ask for referrals from trusted sources

Reach out to friends, trusted doctors, or any psychologist in your network for recommendations. Many therapists are happy to help bridge the gap and find you a few options to choose from, playing a small part in your mental health journey.

Email or text them with your questions

If you find a therapist and have any hesitations about them, you could drop them an email or text with any questions or concerns you have.

Schedule a discovery call

Most therapists offer an intake session where they learn about your needs, goals, and history. This is also your chance to assess whether their qualifications and experience align with what you're looking for. You could use this opportunity to learn about their approach and ask any other questions you may have.

Trust your intuition during discovery call or sessions

If it's not an immediate yes, consider asking yourself these questions:

Do you trust this therapist as a person? (Alternatively, did you get good vibes?)
How do I feel about opening up to this therapist?

If you don't click with the first therapist

Take a break if you need one, and maybe, try again? Finding the right person to explore yourself with may take some time, but it's well worth it when it happens. Try not to give up too early.

Some therapists may have dealbreakers and red flags.

Here's how to recognise and avoid them.

Checking Therapist Qualifications : In India, anyone who calls themselves a therapist or counseling psychologist must have at least a Master's Degree in Psychology (Counseling, Clinical, or Applied). Use trusted platforms that vet therapists thoroughly or check their LinkedIn profiles for qualifications.

Recognizing Judgmental Attitudes : A therapist who judges or dismisses your concerns and emotions creates an unsafe space. This can prevent you from opening up further.

Identifying Discrimination : Be wary of therapists who criticize or dismiss your sexual, ethnic, religious, or gender identity.

Unsolicited Advice : Over-simplifying your problems with advice can indicate a lack of understanding or professionalism. Therapists are trained not to advise. Instead, therapists gently offer interpretations and guidance, allowing you to arrive at insights and solutions on your own.

Promising “Cures” : Therapy is about the journey, not a guaranteed outcome. Be cautious of therapists who promise quick cures or total transformations.

Pressure to Buy Session Packages : Effective therapy does not require a financial commitment beyond a per-session basis. While many therapists offer package options, you should not feel pressured to commit to multiple sessions upfront.

Need to reject a therapist? Here are your options.

Ghost them.

Most therapists understand when they don't hear back from clients -- either therapist wasn't the right fit for them, or it's not the right time for them to address their concerns. After paying for your session, you are under no obligation to text your therapist back.

Provide constructive feedback.

If you had a decent experience but the fit wasn't right, consider giving the therapist feedback through email or text. This can help them possibly assist you in finding another therapist who may be a better match.

Dealing with unethical behaviour.

If the therapist behaved unethically or made you feel unsafe, you have the right to proceed as you feel comfortable -- this could include ghosting or blocking. If you'd like to go a step further, you could leave a negative review.

Questions to Ask Potential Therapists to Assess Fit

"When you meet a potential therapist, consider asking these questions:

What is your approach to therapy?
How do you handle clients with similar issues to mine?
What is your availability and scheduling flexibility?
How do you measure progress in therapy?
How will we know when I don’t need therapy anymore?
What are your fees?

Resources for Finding a Therapist

easein.life (our platform)
Practo

Have you found the right therapist for you?

Haven't started looking yet
Not yet, still exploring
Yes, I found them!