As per the American Psychological Association, 25% of the patients quit therapy before completing treatment. Finding a good match is daunting due to the complexities of the mental health system, searching for the right combination of personality, and credentials. Therefore, it is not particularly surprising that a huge number of clients drop out of therapy.
Psychology is an extremely broad profession with a myriad of career options, specialties, and subspecialties. For decades, people have relied on psychologists and therapists to strengthen their relationships, overcome various problems, and ultimately, enjoy a better life.
How to Hire a Psychologist? 3 Tips
Psychologists use research-based approaches to promote healing and improve behavior patterns. Finding a good psychologist in Brisbane is a challenging task because of the process involved. It requires the person to hire a professional with the right credentials, experience, and specialties.
There are different types of psychologists; counseling psychologists, clinical psychologists, consumer psychologists, forensic psychologists, and Industrial-organizational psychologists. These psychologists have specialties in different areas, so, make sure you are hiring the right type.
It does not have to be that hard to hire a psychologist, hence, this guide provides 3 useful tips to destigmatize the process and make it more manageable.
Ask for Referrals
Finding the right psychologist requires research, therefore, do not hesitate to ask friends for recommendations or search the internet. Any person can streamline the process by asking friends, family members, and acquaintances for referrals.
Acquaintances who are already seeing a psychologist or have previously switched multiple psychologists can point you in the right direction. In the case of no referrals, try the Google search, and you will be presented with hundreds of options.
Go to each psychologist’s website, read reviews, and decide. Similarly, choose a psychologist available in the list of providers by the insurance company.
Shop Around
Make a list of five psychologists that you found through Google search or referrals. You can expand the list further and reach out to them to see how you two gel and how they react to your situation. Every psychologist looks promising on paper, however, it is all about the connection and relationship between the client and the psychologist.
Many psychologists offer free introductory sessions or phone consultations. It is a good way for people to judge whether or not they feel comfortable sharing their unique situation with the psychologist.
Price Comparison
As it is well-known that therapy can be expensive, therefore, ask for this information upfront when talking to a psychologist. Some professionals take insurance whereas others charge fees. Some psychologists charge fees according to the client’s income or case-by-case basis.
If you can not afford mental health treatment or a psychologist, try hiring psychotherapy students or junior mental health professionals with expert supervisors. It will ensure that you get the mental health care you need without breaking the bank.
Putting it all together, it should not be rushed, take your time to find the best match with the right skills, knowledge, and experience.