A good therapist:
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listens to you
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values what you say
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has your best interests at heart
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helps you learn how to change
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challenges negative thoughts
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reinforces positive thoughts
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checks you are getting what you want from therapy
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knows their own limits and when to refer you to someone else.
What you told us about your therapist
“What I found really good was being able to talk about what was happening and have someone who was listening – she was really good at giving me space, listening to what had happened and discussing what might have caused it – not in a deep way but trying to help me piece the whole picture together.”
“This wonderful lady turned my life around. I immediately trusted her. It’s hard to explain exactly what went on, but her empathy and warmth and understanding were crucial. It’s not what she said as much as how she related to me. It was a safe environment in which I could start thinking about and understanding my problems and think of things I could do to help myself.”
A good therapist concentrates on you – what you think is important in your life, what you want to achieve, what steps you could take to get there. They shouldn’t tell you what to do. Your therapist may be highly trained and very experienced, but you are the expert on you.
It’s worth taking time to build a trusting relationship with your therapist. Remember therapy is a two-way process. If you have any questions, ask them. If you are worried that you could become dependent on them, say so. A good therapist will help you deal with your worries and work out how you will manage when the therapy comes to an end.
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