Essential Qualities in Therapeutic Treatment - Insights from Melbourne Therapists

Around 3.4 million Australians see a mental health professional - it is important to find a therapist who’s suitable for you. Whether it's your first time seeing a therapist, or you're seeking a new one after an initial session, finding someone who can help you improve your wellbeing can sometimes be a challenging or daunting task.

It is helpful to know that there is no “perfect fit” as such - and all relationships, including therapeutic relationships, take time and communication / feedback. The following might be helpful as a guide for factors to look out for when deciding whether someone is a good fit for you.   

Builds Rapport

Sessions work on establishing a therapeutic alliance between the practitioner and the client, for certain values and behaviours to be effectively communicated. Feelings of worry, judgement, and scepticism can obscure honest thought, and make it difficult to uncover patterns of cognition and underlying beliefs that speak to a schema, trait or thought process.

A lack of trust may result in withholding any vital information to your therapist, which may mean that your progress is hindered.

According to a study by psychologist Bruce Wampold, people can gauge within 100 milliseconds whether your counterpart is trustworthy or not. To determine if your therapist is the right fit, sometimes people just rely on their gut instinct. 

Having said that, we recommend seeing a therapist at least for a few appointments before determining whether or not they are the right fit. 

Good communication skills

This may seem apparent for a career built on understanding one another - but not all therapists have the right communication style to suit us. 

An effective therapist is often able to clearly express ideas to you, and pick up on your body language, tone, and other cues to understand and be in tune with you. They should also be able to listen to your feedback and comprehend it well to connect with you and improve the therapeutic relationship.

Perceptive

If you want to discuss a specific issue, a suitable  therapist is often open to what you have to say and gently probe such sensitive topics.  

Given that it might be uncomfortable, since we unconsciously avoid discussing difficult and painful areas, it often takes time for clients to open up. The aim is for the therapist to style articulation and thought effectively, in order to approach issues in a safe, supportive way.

Take the next step with Inner Eastern Psychology

No therapists are the same, and there is no “perfect fit” as such. The above qualities  serve as a guide for you to pick and choose a mental health professional that could be a good fit for you.

However, why spend time finding one when Inner Eastern Psychology can help you? With our evidence-based and patient-centred approach, our team of experienced therapists can effectively address the emotional concerns that you may have.

Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and find a psychologist who can help to enhance your overall well-being.