Choosing a therapist

Making your initial psychotherapy appointment can feel daunting. Likewise when it comes to choosing a therapist.

You can expect a therapist to offer a complimentary telephone consultation.  Think about what you are looking for. Be prepared to interview more than one professional to get a sense of who is a good fit for you. Ask about the person’s education, training, experience, values, and any other areas of concern.

You may sense on the phone who feels right for you. You might want to arrange for an in-office consultation with one or more therapists before deciding who to continue seeing. Your comfort and sense of trust is important. If your issue is one that may take some time to resolve, you will be entering into a relationship with the therapist you choose. It should be one in which you:

• feel heard
• feel safe in expressing your true self
• feel welcome to request feedback

I cannot count the number of people already in therapy who have complained that they were thinking about discontinuing it because they experienced their therapist as insensitive during one or more sessions.

I usually advise them not to give up on their therapist before discussing their concern with her or him. A good therapist will:

• welcome your feedback about how the therapy is going
• listen with understanding
• accept criticism
• not respond defensively

Expressing your concerns to your therapist is likely to be growth producing when this happens in a supportive, nurturing context.

My main professional interest is in providing psychotherapy to single and married adults and couples, specializing in relationships and communication. FAQs About My Psychotherapy Practice

I offer the following workshops and training programs:

• Marriage Meeting Program Workshops for couples and individuals
• Marriage Meeting Program classes for professionals.
• Marry With Confidence programs for single women.

My book, Marriage Meetings for Lasting Love: 30 Minutes a Week to the Relationship You’ve Always Wanted (New World Library, 2014) is a step-by-step guide for couples to conduct marriage meetings on their own. It includes the information taught at workshops, many examples of couples using marriage meeting techniques, and debunks marriage myths.

I welcome your comments about therapy, choosing a therapist, marriage, and other topics.