Choosing a psychotherapist is an important decision, as you will be building a confidential and personal relationship with them. Psychotherapy is often paid for out of pocket, and the investment can be significant. Finding the right therapist can seem challenging, but we have put together the following tips to help you:
1. Clarify your own needs
- Think about what kind of help you need. Is it a specific issue, such as anxiety or depression, or are you looking for general support for your life situation?
- Consider what kind of therapist would suit you. Do you want someone warm and empathetic, or someone more direct and challenging?
- Does gender or age matter to you?
- Do you want the therapist to have an understanding of your culture or religion? Different forms of diversity awareness may also be important for some people.
- Think about which therapeutic orientation might suit you. Different therapy approaches have different perspectives and methods.
2. Look for information about different therapists
- Check out therapists’ websites and profiles.
- You can also ask your friends, family members, or doctor for recommendations.
- Check the therapist’s education and experience. In Finland, the profession of psychotherapist is regulated, so make sure that the therapist has been granted the right to use the professional title of psychotherapist by Valvira.
Where can you find therapists who have available appointments?
At Heltti, you will find nearly 100 psychotherapists and short-term therapists with a background in psychology. We have carefully selected them so that you can trust that each of them has a high level of expertise and suitability. In addition, we support our therapists with high-quality, regular supervision and various continuing education courses, among other things.
Below, you can learn more about our therapists and narrow down your search by location, language, type of therapy, and area of specialization.
3. Book an informative visit
- The first time, both parties listen to each other to find out what the issue is and whether working together seems possible.
- During the introductory visit, you can ask the therapist about their working methods, their background, and how they think they can help you.
- Pay attention to how the therapist makes you feel. Do they seem trustworthy and empathetic? Do you feel like you could talk to them openly?
Trust your instincts: The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your therapist.
4. Trust your instincts
- The most important thing is that you feel comfortable with your therapist. Often, you will know after the first session whether the chemistry is right.
- Don’t be afraid to change therapists if your first choice doesn’t feel right. However, if you are someone who finds it difficult to trust new people, changing therapists may not improve the situation.
How to choose a therapist?
- Figure out what you need
Consider what qualities are important to you in a therapist. Perhaps you want them to be warm, compassionate, and proactive. Maybe the therapist’s gender or age matters to you? Or perhaps you are looking for specialized expertise related to a specific mental health challenge?
2. Find information about different therapists
You can find answers to your questions in the therapists’ profiles, but also, for example, by directly emailing therapists you are interested in. Heltti therapists’ email addresses can be easily found under each therapist’s name in their profile.
At the same time, it’s worth asking whether the therapist has any available appointments or when therapy slots might potentially open up. This way, you can also find out whether you could get an appointment with a therapist who currently has no openings, even if it means waiting a few weeks or months.
3. Book an introductory session
Not everything can be clarified via email. Experiencing the personal chemistry with a therapist is important, and to find this out, it is recommended to attend introductory sessions with about 1–3 different therapists.
4. Trust your instincts
Sometimes, after the first therapist you meet, you may already feel confident enough, and no other sessions are needed. On the other hand, it’s important to remember that there is no perfect therapist. So, trust your own intuition: Do you feel comfortable with them? Could you imagine gradually building trust with them over time?
About the author of this article
I am Katri Kanninen, Doctor of Psychology, experienced psychotherapist, psychotherapy trainer (CAT), and non-fiction writer.