Here are 3 tried and tested steps you can take to finding the right therapist for you. Welcome to the beginning of your healing journey!
We know finding the right therapist can be quite a process, let alone the challenges of overcoming the anxiety and stigma around seeking mental healthcare in our region. (You got this!)
You’re asking the right questions and we’re here to guide you through the process with details on where to look and what to look for along with some suggestions and advice!
Article Content:
- Do Your Research
- Try Online Therapy
- Ask Questions That Matter To You
- Final Notes
1. Do Your Research:
- Look for Therapists
When we find a good restaurant or store, we post about it, talk about it and announce it to the world. But that’s not how it works with therapy. It’s something private that people don’t talk about, so you have to do your research.
When searching for a therapist online, be specific. Don’t search for “Therapists in Riyadh”, instead look up “Therapist specialized in social anxiety in Al Khozama, Riyadh” and take it from there.
- Think About Your Goals
Think about what you want to accomplish in therapy. If you know or suspect what your challenges are, it can be easier to look for a therapist with that specialty.
If you read that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) works for someone like you, you could then look for a therapist specialized in that.
Look up therapy treatment methods, which are also referred to as treatment techniques and orientations, and learn more about what resonates the most with you.
Examples of treatment techniques include:
- Experiential therapy
- Dialectical therapy
- Coaching
- Gestalt therapy
and much more!
2. Try Online Therapy:
A licensed platform like Ayadi is a reliable resource that can help you find a roster of qualified therapists and psychologists that speak both English and Arabic. You can browse their specializations and treatment methods.
At Ayadi we promise to provide you with confidential, high-quality, and affordable mental healthcare at the comfort of your home.
Speak to our client care guides that will match you with a licensed therapist that suits your needs.
Some people find digital therapy more convenient, try it, and it might be just right for you too.
3. Ask Questions That Matter To You:
Keep in mind that you won’t really know if your selected psychologist is right for you unless you actually talk to them. And even then, it could take a handful of sessions to really know if you’ve found the one for you.
Don’t let that discourage you. Thinking about what you’re looking for in a therapist to help you narrow down your selection.
Here are some questions you might want to ask and think about once you meet your therapist:
- What is their specialty?
- Have they worked with people with similar challenges?
- Have they ever been in therapy themselves?
- Do they have the same cultural background as you?
- Are they fluent in your preferred language?
- Do they interrupt you or listen carefully to what you’re saying?
- Do you feel tense and worried about their judgment while talking to them?
- Do they bring up religion? If so, how does it make you feel?
- Do they brush off or invalidate your concerns?
- Do you feel heard, seen, respected during the session?
Final Notes
As you look for a therapist and start your sessions, it’s important to remember that when you start meeting with a therapist, communicate your goals for your sessions and what you hope to achieve with them.
Communication and connection are at the heart of effective therapy, and you can build that sense of connection whether you meet your therapist in person, on the phone, or online.
Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you might have at customercare@ayadihealth.co until you find the right one for you.
Remember that the therapy should be about you. The goal is to help you and improve your mental health.
Good luck!