4 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Therapist in Houston

So, you’re thinking of going to therapy? Perhaps you are going to a stressful period at work, or you’re trying to get over a failed relationship, or you have any other type of a reason why you would like to work on your mental health. Those are all legitimate. And, you shouldn’t feel that you need to have a serious acute issue in order to see a therapist, because, in addition to helping you solve those acute problems, it can also act as a preventative measure, and it can basically help you shape your life to your liking.

Read more about psychotherapy here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies 

Anyway, once you’ve decided to start seeing a therapist, the next thing you will have to do is actually find and hire the right professional for you. It goes without saying that you want to choose a great one, because, after all, we’re talking about your mental health here, and you don’t want to wind up working with someone who could make it worse instead of making it better. This is why making a smart choice is of utmost importance.

Yet, people do tend to make mistakes in this process. Perhaps you’ve heard some stories of your friends or acquaintances about the not-so-great time they had with certain therapists in Houston. Or, perhaps you’ve had some poor experiences yourself. And, while there is always a chance that those stories and those poor experiences can come from the fact that people aren’t willing to work on certain stuff at a certain point, because therapy can be quite difficult before it helps you feel better, the truth is that it is often the professionals responsibility to navigate the process the right way, so as not to make it overwhelming for the clients.

In any case, I am sure that you would very much like to avoid those poor experiences. And, that means that you will have to take your time to avoid making certain mistakes in the process of choosing your therapist in Houston. Of course, in order to avoid them, you will have to get familiar with them. So, what we are going to do right now is list some common mistakes that people tend to make here, in an effort to help you make a smart, informed hiring decision.

1. Not Checking Credentials

First things first, you should never forget to check the credentials of the professionals you’re considering. To put it simply, to work with great houston therapy experts, you will have to ensure that they are properly licensed and qualified to provide you with those services. Therapists have to go through extensive training and education before they can start working in this field, and it is your task to check if that is the case with the potential candidates you’re considering. It is, thus, also your task to avoid those unqualified and unlicensed professionals.

2. Not Checking the Therapy Approach

The next thing you shouldn’t forget to do is check the therapy approach and type. There are various ones nowadays, from cognitive to psychodynamic and humanistic approaches. Of course, you don’t have to become an expert yourself on these approaches, but you should get a better idea about what different types of therapies, such as CBT, psychoanalysis, constructivist therapy, and similar ones have to offer.

That way, you will get a better sense of which approach you would be most comfortable with during your therapy journey. And then, you should check what approaches the specific professionals you’re considering are using, so as to determine whether they align with what you want. In the end, it is the relationship between the therapist and the client that will be the biggest healing factor, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t shop around, and search for those approaches and types that you prefer.

3. Going for the Lowest Bidder

I get that your budget will play a huge role in making this decision. Perfectly normal. Yet, that doesn’t mean that you should automatically go for the lowest bidder. So, do check and compare the prices, but remember to keep all the other important factors in mind as well. Click this to learn about some more mistakes to avoid.

4. Not Reading Reviews If Available

If you can find online reviews about specific therapists in Houston, you should read them. This is just like word of mouth. But digital. So, it will help you understand the quality of services provided by specific professionals, as well as their reputation and trustworthiness.

Bonus Tip: It’s Okay to Start Going If You Don’t Have a Clear Goal

Here’s a bonus tip for you. It is a common misconception that you need to have your goals clearly outlined before going to therapy. And, while it is useful to know what you want to work on when you first see a professional, the truth is that it isn’t absolutely necessary. You can start therapy even if you don’t have a clear goal, and then work together with the professional to shape your goals and objectives.