Choosing a Therapist in Metro Denver
There are literally thousands of therapists in the Denver metro area. How do you know if a particular counselor is competent, qualified and able to help with your issues? Here are some of the things it’s important to consider when finding a skilled therapist:
“Who in the world am I? Ah, that’s the great puzzle.”
-Alice, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Is the therapist licensed by their professional board?
Professional licensure indicates that the therapist has had thousands of hours of post-graduate school experience and supervision, and has passed a licensing exam that covers all issues that a counselor should be knowledgeable about in regard to providing therapy.
How much experience does the therapist have in treating the issues you are dealing with? Does she have a graduate degree from an accredited university?
The more years of experience and training that a counselor has after graduate school, the better qualified he or she is to treat specific issues or problems. Always make certain that a therapist has a graduate degree – either a Masters degree or PhD.
What is the therapist’s style of work?
A competent therapist will be able to give you an explanation of the type of therapy he or she practices, what you can expect in your work together and will be willing to answer any questions you might have.
How does it feel in the therapy session?
Is it a warm, inviting environment and is the counselor someone who seems personable, engaged and genuinely invested in listening and helping?
Does the therapist adhere to Professional Ethics?
Therapists have a strict Code of Ethics that prevent such things as dual relationships (having a personal or business relationship outside of therapy). Your counselor should provide you with a Consent to Treatment that covers important ethical issues related to the therapeutic relationship.
Has the therapist ever been professionally sanctioned for inappropriate behavior or had complaints filed against him or her with their licensing board?
You can check this information through the Sate of Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies at https://www.colorado.gov/dora/licensing/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx
I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about therapy or about my skills and qualifications. Don’t hesitate to contact me below or by calling 303-370-1399.
Exploring the Strengths of Seeking Help
Long before there were therapists, there were family members. Loved ones listened, or gave us advice, or sometimes just told us to buck up. If family couldn’t help, there were friends or a clergy member. But most likely, we were also warned not to broadcast our troubles, and many people suffered with emotional issues silently.
Times change and so has society’s acceptance of seeking help. The old stigma of being seen as weak or incapable is largely gone, helped by many well-known writers, actors and politicians being open about their struggles with, and treatments for, everything from depression to chronic shoplifting. Going to a therapist is now seen as a positive step in most people’s lives.
“Therapy is a unique relationship and what makes it valuable sets it apart from friendships, working partnerships, family connections and love affairs,” says Carl Sherman, author of How to Go to Therapy: Making the Most of Professional Help.
In his book, author Sherman describes therapy as a balance in which two people are “collaborating on a single project: helping you deal with your problems and achieve the change you want. There is no other agenda.”
It’s the simplicity of that agenda, combined with a structured schedule, confidentiality and trust, that make this unique relationship work so well for so many people. Rather than proof that someone is “sick,” it is a sign of good health to make a commitment to change.
Some people still believe a therapist will make them lie on a couch. While some therapists might have couches in their offices, you choose where to sit. You choose what to say. You choose when to say it. And, nowadays, there is an incredible number of ways to explore problems. The strength of therapy is that there are no strings attached. In his book, Sherman offers some further benefits of the therapeutic relationship:
1. Safety. If the relationship is right, you can feel safe to reveal your fears, dreams and fantasies without fear of repercussions or judgment on the part of the therapist. Unlike telling a friend or family member, your words to a therapist won’t come back to haunt you.
2. Confidentiality. The therapist is bound by ethics and law (except in a few well-defined cases) not to reveal what you have said during sessions. This adds to the feeling of safety and trust, and aids in people making changes.
3. Learning. Therapy can be seen as a deeply educational experience, in which a therapist acts like a coach or teacher to help the client see the world—inner and outer—in new and positive ways.
Into each life some rain must fall, and we all have felt deluged at least once in our lives. Grief, loss, anger, financial hardship, relationship problems, stress—all of these are a normal part of life. So is seeking help when coping is just too hard. It’s also normal to be a little afraid of what friends and family might say about seeing a therapist. But, in the end, it’s your life, and you know best how to make it a richer, happier and more fulfilling one—with a little help.