How to Find the Right Therapist for Managing Personality Disorders

Finding the right therapist is crucial for your mental health journey. Without a trusting relationship and a safe space to discuss your concerns, coping with the symptoms of personality disorders can be challenging. But, how do you know if your therapist is the right fit for you?

Don't be quick to write off your therapist after your first session. Building a therapeutic relationship can take some time. However, there are some indicators which can help you decide whether your therapist can help you with your mental health concerns.

Also read: 7 Questions To Ask Your Therapist

Finding the 'right' therapist 

Although online therapy has made accessing quality mental health care easy, not every therapist will be able to help you manage your symptoms. Personality disorders may require a specialised approach, hence, you must do some research before committing to a therapist. 

Trained professional

Only a licensed mental health professional can provide you with the quality care that you need. To practise as a therapist, mental health professionals must go through rigorous training to understand how to create an effective treatment plan. People with personality disorders usually benefit from experienced professionals, who have the right credentials to practise in this field. 

But, how can you verify if your therapist has the relevant experience? Selecting a trusted platform is the first step. Your selected platform should provide you with all the essential details of your mental health professional, such as their credentials and areas of expertise, to help you make an informed decision.

Trustworthy and encouraging

Whether you're visiting a clinic or accessing online therapy from the comfort of your home, the first session can be daunting. Hence, it is important that your therapist provides you with a comfortable and safe space to discuss your concern. 

Although your therapist should encourage you to express your thoughts and feelings, they should not be forceful. You should feel comfortable when opening up to them, instead of feeling intimidated.

Also read: Therapist-Recommended Tools to Start a Conversation on Your Mental Health With Your Family 

Educational approach

Therapy for personality disorders can be daunting as it is difficult to understand its symptoms. People with personality disorders can function relatively well, meaning that they are less likely to think that therapy will benefit them. In such cases, it is crucial to help an individual understand their condition better using the psychoeducational approach.

Learning more about your mental health condition not only helps you understand your behaviours a little better but can also make you feel less alone. Therapists who use the psychoeducational approach help you manage your symptoms better and learn healthy coping methods.

Research-based approach

With new research, treatment approaches keep changing. Even now, many researchers don’t have enough data on quite a few mental health conditions to know which treatment is the most effective. However, when it comes to therapy, relying on research-based care is crucial to see positive outcomes.

As you work with your therapist on your treatment plan, do not hesitate to ask them about their approach and look at data which supports their claims.

Also read: Is Therapy Any Different From Talking to a Friend?

Without a professional's support, managing mental health conditions such as personality disorders can be challenging. Online therapy has made it easier to access help for your symptoms, but it can also be daunting to choose among a vast list of providers. If you're feeling overwhelmed by choices, our match the therapist process can help you find the ideal therapist for your needs.

Sources:

1. Oladipo, G. (2021, June 21). How To Find the Right Therapist: 10 Tips. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/blog/10-ways-to-find-a-good-therapist
2. How to Find the Right Therapist for Borderline Personality Disorder. (2021, October 1). Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-a-therapist-425212
3. Keenan, K., & Rubin, S. (2016). The good therapist: Evidence regarding the therapist’s contribution to psychotherapy. Humanistic Psychotherapies: Handbook of Research and Practice (2nd Ed.)., 421–454. https://doi.org/10.1037/14775-014
4. Jacobson, S. (2022, May 16). What Makes a Good Therapist? 10 Essential Qualities to Look For. Harley TherapyTM Blog. https://www.harleytherapy.co.uk/counselling/what-makes-a-good-therapist.htm