Making Your Choice
Once you have a name or have made an appointment, it might not be a bad idea to search the Web for information about your would be provider, as you would for any professional you were planning to hire. You probably don't want to make a lifetime study out of this; you just want to make sure that the person's name doesn't come up repeatedly in connection with more than one questionable incident.
Why This Is Important
When you stop to think about it, choosing a therapist is an important decision, one that has the potential to greatly affect your health and well-being. Therapy may become, for a time (probably a matter of months, if not years) a very important part of your life.
You will likely spend a lot of time talking with your therapist and, when not actually in her office, doing the exercises she gives you and thinking about the work you do together. You can always make a change down the road if you need to (and you should, if your therapeutic relationship is not working out) but it's better, of course, if you can choose wisely the first time.
A Question of Style
Once you've narrowed your list (ideally) to a provider (or to one or two), you'd be well advised to talk with him to get an idea about whether and how well you might work together. You can talk on the phone before making an appointment, or make the appointment and bring a list of questions. It's usually a good idea to schedule an initial “trial” session to get a sense of whether you and the therapist will be “compatible” — that is, whether your communication styles mesh, whether you are on the same “wavelength,” and what kind of impression you get about the therapist's approach, conversational style, and ability to help you. A therapist who has the best professional reputation in the world will only be helpful to you if the both of you can work and communicate effectively together.
Alert
One impediment to your treatment might be a friend, roommate, or spouse who has unwittingly become your “enabler,” providing you with ready reassurance. This, as you might imagine, can slow your progress in learning to confront your fears actively, potentially causing your therapy to stall.
Getting It Right the First Time
Many therapists consider the first few sessions a mutual evaluation period: In addition to assessing your symptoms, the therapist will probably devote some time to addressing the question of whether you will be able to work well and comfortably together. Between your first meeting and the next, you might want to give some thought to your interactions and comfort level so that you can discuss any concerns you might have. In the case of an obviously poor fit, the therapist might be able to refer you to a colleague.
