If you have felt that you need the help of a qualified mental and emotional health professional to overcome feelings or problems that seem unmanageable and are affecting your daily life — for example, the quality of your sleep or your ability to work effectively — do not hesitate to seek help. In addition, if you have other personal questions with which a psychologist could help, I recommend reading the advice in this article to better understand the therapy process and choose the right specialist. Although there are many psychologists and psychotherapists offering their services, finding one you like and who suits you requires serious effort, especially if you have never visited a therapist before. Many professions offer therapy. Besides psychology, some of them include psychiatry, social work, and counselling. There are also various approaches and techniques in which a specialist may work.
To begin with, I recommend drawing up a list of priority questions before becoming a client.
Your list of questions might include the following:
1. How many years have you been practising, and do you hold a higher-education degree? Asking about work experience helps you understand how long the specialist has been working in this field. A higher-education degree in psychology or medicine is an absolute requirement. It confirms professionalism and competence.
2. Have you worked with clients in my condition or with a similar therapeutic request? This question will help you find out whether the therapist has experience working with clients who had problems or conditions similar to yours. It can give you a sense of how well acquainted they are with your needs.
3. What methods and techniques do you use with people who have my type of request/diagnosis? Finding out which methods and approaches the therapist applies when working with requests or diagnoses similar to yours will help you assess whether their style of work is right for you.
4. How do the sessions work? Ask how sessions usually proceed, so you have a sense of their structure and duration, as well as possible formats (in person or online).
5. What is the cost of therapy and how does payment work? Finding out the cost of therapy and the payment procedure will help you avoid financial misunderstandings in the future.
6. Do you have regular personal therapy? This question helps you understand whether the therapist personally practises and values personal development and self-help through therapy, which is an indicator of professionalism. The best therapist is one who has been a well-worked "client" in therapy themselves.
7. Do you work regularly with a supervisor? Asking about regular work with a supervisor highlights the importance of the therapist's continuous professional development and their readiness to improve their skills. Questions of this kind are entirely appropriate and nothing to be embarrassed about — a qualified specialist must meet the criteria listed above, and may only provide the relevant assistance within those mandatory qualifications. You are fully entitled to ask to see their diploma or other documents confirming their qualification.
What else is equally important when choosing a psychologist or psychotherapist?
Personal and visual comfort
The psychologist and client work together. Personal and visual comfort also matters. After establishing a psychologist's competence, an important factor in determining whether to work with a particular psychologist is your level of personal comfort with that person. A good relationship with your psychologist is critically important. Choose someone with whom you will feel comfortable and at ease. It is also important to note here that a psychologist cannot be a relative, a close friend, or a work colleague — such a person will become emotionally involved, and the work will be ineffective even if all the criteria listed above are present.
Consider gender
The gender of the specialist is also an important factor that can affect the client's comfort and willingness to open up. Think about who you prefer, with whom you would feel more comfortable working given your particular needs.
Ask about a first free introductory consultation
Psychotherapists often offer a first consultation free of charge. It is usually shorter than a regular session, but it is an excellent opportunity to meet the specialist, learn about their methods of work, and understand how comfortable you would be working together.
The difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist
Psychology and psychotherapy are different fields, although they overlap. Psychologists often focus on diagnosis and short-term support, whereas psychotherapists focus on long-term therapeutic work aimed at deep personal change.
Psychotherapeutic approaches
Modern psychotherapy encompasses many diverse methods, each with proven effectiveness in addressing specific psychological problems. It is important to understand that choosing the right method of work is a key factor in the success of therapy. This choice should always be individualised and made with the help of a qualified specialist who can adapt the approach to the unique needs and circumstances of each client. A full list of psychotherapy methods with proven effectiveness can be found at the link here.
Working with a psychologist/psychotherapist is your decision to treat your inner world and health with care. In these unstable times, professional support can be a key factor on the path to recovery and harmony. Remember that seeking help is not a sign of weakness — it is a step toward your own well-being and health.
Stay well!
