How to Choose a Therapist or Discipline?
There are so many therapy disciplines and therapists out there. How do you know who to choose? It can be overwhelming, and if you are looking for services for a loved one the stakes seem even higher. If you ask other moms in facebook groups about a specific issue, you’ll get a plethora of suggestions from behavior therapy, psychotherapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and the list goes on. You’re already over-scheduled, and you can’t possibly be at all of those appointments, so how do you know which is right for you?
While completing my Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Certification courses, Temple Granden said something that has resonated with me. She stated that the biggest predictor of positive incomes was not occupational versus developmental versus behavior therapy. The biggest indicator of success was the relationship between the client and therapist.
The therapeutic relationship is at the heart of any good practice, fostering trust, collaboration, and growth. It is a unique alliance between therapist and client, built upon empathy, respect, and understanding. As therapists, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore, express, and achieve their goals. Through active listening and compassionate engagement, we facilitate deep connections that empower individuals to overcome challenges, enhance their well-being, and reclaim their independence. The therapeutic relationship is a transformative journey, guiding clients towards self-discovery and self-advocacy.
The client-clinician relationship has been researched for years, starting with Freud in the 1900s. In all of these studies, the findings indicated that the single, most important predictor of positive outcomes was the relationship between therapist and client. So what factors are deemed most important? According to Greenspace, increased trust and comfort, increased patient self-awareness and motivation, better understanding of the client, collaborative approach to treatment, increased client satisfaction, reduced drop-out rates, and improved treatment outcomes. This specific article is focused on psychotherapy, but the results can be generalized to other forms of therapy.
What does this mean? It means that, while you want to find a therapist who is knowledgeable in their field, the relationship that you develop with that therapist matters more than what discipline of therapy they provide. If you or a loved one is seeking or receiving services and you don’t feel like it’s ‘working’, then I recommend looking at the relationship you have with that therapist. If you feel like the level of trust and communication is not present, I would first recommend discussing your concerns with your therapist. If that does not work, then I suggest switching therapists! Not every personality jives, and that’s ok!
Don’t get bogged down with the endless options of therapies out there. Do some research and follow your gut. Try to find a therapist you or your child can connect with, be honest about your expectations, and discuss different treatment approaches. Does going to a clinic to get out of the house sound helpful? Find a physical clinic! Does staying home and having someone come to you or virtual visits sound helpful? Find someone who offers those things. No therapy discipline is cut and paste, so think about how someone could best support you and your family. Then, go find that person/clinic!
References:
https://greenspacehealth.com/en-us/therapeutic-alliance/
