The 5 Qualities That Tell You a Therapist Is Effective
2. They see you as a partner, not just a patient.
Posted November 9, 2015 | Reviewed by Devon Frye
So you've decided to go to therapy. You're not alone: 10 million Americans receive psychotherapy every year. And there's a good reason for this: Therapy works. At least it does if you find a good, effective therapist. But how do you select a "good, effective" therapist, one who will truly help you?
Before answering, I need to debunk a few myths about how to select a good therapist.
Myth #1: A therapist attended an excellent university—so she must be good, right?
Not necessarily. Training is important, but it doesn't guarantee that a therapist is effective. Good therapists and bad therapists graduate from top-notch universities. Looking at the diplomas on the wall is not the best way to select a therapist.
Myth #2: A therapist has a doctoral degree, so he must be good.
Degrees are important, as are other credentials, but they should not be the main criterion for choosing a therapist. In fact, many marriage and family therapists, as well as clinical social workers, have a master's degree—and yet they are highly effective.
Myth #3: A therapist has written numerous books and scholarly articles on counseling and therapy. Surely, she is an effective therapist.
Writing books and scholarly articles is important, but does not an effective therapist make. Just because someone is a prolific writer does not mean that she's an effective therapist.
Myth #4: A therapist uses only "scientifically validated" techniques, so he must be effective.
This is probably the biggest myth of all. Actually, the research shows that techniques have relatively little to do with effective therapy. Many people think that if techniques work in medicine, then they should work in psychotherapy.
However, what many do not realize is that psychotherapy is not a medical procedure. Instead, it's a relational endeavor, an interpersonal process. So when a therapist claims to use only "scientific" techniques, it really doesn't mean much in terms of whether or not she's effective—and it's not a good reason to select a therapist.
So how can one select a good, effective therapist?
Extensive research on how psychotherapy works can help answer this question. The evidence shows that the primary determinants of effectiveness in psychotherapy are the human and relational elements. In other words, a good, effective psychotherapist is not a "junior physician" wielding medical-like techniques. Instead, an effective therapist is a warm, caring, empathic , and knowledgeable person who knows how to interact with a client in a way that is healing. If you want to find a good, effective therapist, look for that kind of person. The following are some descriptors of effective therapists.
There are thousands of good, effective therapists who have these qualities. Take the time to find the one who's right for you. Go to some "trial" sessions with different therapists if necessary. It's worth the effort to find the kind of therapist I've described—and if you do, I predict your life will never be the same.
Check Psychology Today's directory of therapists for a professional near you.
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David N. Elkins, Ph.D. , is a professor emeritus of psychology at Pepperdine University.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.