How to Find the “Right Fit” Therapist
Therapists frequently talk about making sure you’re seeing the therapist who is the “best fit” or “right fit” for you. But what does that even mean? How do you know if someone is the right “fit”?
Let’s learn.
Both common sense and decades of research say that having the right fit between therapist and client will lead to the best possible outcomes in therapy.
This means that you’ll reach your therapy goals more quickly and with more successful results - great news all around! You’ll spend less time, less money, and make the changes in life you’re hoping for as long as you’re motivated and the therapist is a good fit.
What we’ve discovered however, is that most people don’t really know what that means. How do you know if this person is the right therapist for you? What do you look for when seeking a good therapist-client fit?
How do we know if it’s a good fit?
There’s no magic formula. Like so many parts of therapy, this is “gray area” and quite subjective. While there are some consistencies and quantifiable elements to finding a good fit, the bulk of it involves intuition and feeling it out. Therapy is a personal experience, just like all relationships.
The relationship between you and your therapist is exactly that - a relationship. The dynamics, trust, and comfort level matter significantly. The reason the therapist-client fit matters so much in therapy is that the relationship can be transformative and facilitate change.
While the expertise, skillset, and therapeutic techniques impact your progress significantly and are absolutely necessary, it’s also the unique type of therapeutic relationship that allows for those skills to help you create change. Both parts are required to support you.
This is someone who you will be vulnerable with and open up to in real, honest ways. You’ll build a trusting relationship with them. Real change brings some discomfort initially, and a good fit therapist will help you sit in that discomfort and process the feelings and experiences that arise.
Let’s reflect.
How can I find the right therapist?
Identify the skills needed. Knowing how to narrow down the options is important. For example: Do you need someone with a specific specialty (trauma, relationships, life transitions, complicated grief)? What are you trying to achieve through therapy? Do you really need to be in-network with insurance (most therapists are out-of-network)? Are you open to telehealth or hybrid options?
Interview multiple therapists. We highly recommend that you have at least a brief chat with a couple of potential therapists before making a decision. This is normal in our field, and most therapists will welcome the opportunity to be sure the relationship is a good fit and feels comfortable to you.
Consider who is around you. Sometimes we have a friend or colleague who we resonate with closely, and they have a therapist who may also be a good fit for you.
Ask therapists and their teams. Therapists and those who work with us know how important the “fit” is in therapy. We want to help people get connected to their right fit and are happy to answer questions, provide referrals, or help you consider where to look.
Let’s practice change.
Unfortunately, finding the right therapist can take longer than we’d hope. In the end, the fit matters, so it’s worth taking the time to figure out.
At Good Human Work, our therapists offer brief consultations to determine whether a therapist is the right fit for you. And if it turns out we’re not, we’re happy to help refer you to therapists outside our practice who might be a better fit.
Reach out to Nicole, our Client Specialist, if you want to chat with someone.
