Psychology, until recently considered "medicine for the crazy or the rich" has become very popular today. Even the most inveterate skeptics gave up and admitted that psychological problems cannot be solved by a friendly conversation in the kitchen, and an experienced psychologist will find the shortest and most comfortable way to achieve the goal.
But the question remains: where to find a good psychologist who could really help.
- Where to find a good psychologist: starting with the main thing
- Number of hours of personal therapy
- Number of hours of supervision
- Work Experience
- Where is it not worth looking for a good psychologist
Where to find a good psychologist: starting with the main thing
In in this case, the main thing — this is the problem you want to solve.
Just like other doctors, psychologists specialize in specific areas. So, if you are looking for help in solving a family problem (quarrels with a husband, adultery, conflicts with a child), you need to look for a specialist who works with these issues. And if you — victim of violence, then the most effective work will be carried out by a psychologist or psychotherapist who works with post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression and other conditions that complicate the life of a person who has experienced episodes of violence.
It is also important to consider the key circumstances listed below.
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Number of hours of personal therapy
This is a kind of training in which the doctor examines his own personality with the participation of a more experienced practitioner colleague. The more hours of personal therapy, the better — this allows the doctor to work with your problem without bringing in his own beliefs, and also helps to reinforce the ethical base of the specialist.
You can learn about personal therapy hours from the psychologist himself, and also from "circumstantial evidence". So, if he works as as a certified physician, he has at least 50 hours of personal therapy, and if he is in an association of psychotherapists — this indicator is not less than 200 hours.
Number of hours of supervision
Supervision Hours — is the total duration of the sessions that the therapist conducted under the supervision of a supervisor. This specialist analyzes the doctor's work, discusses with him especially "subtle" moments that can be difficult for a doctor to see, being in the epicenter of the situation.
Thus, a psychologist or psychotherapist develops a base of practical skills that allow him to distance himself from the situation just enough to see it in as a whole. Accordingly, when working with your problem, such a doctor will not miss important details.
Work Experience
This aspect of choice is left entirely to your discretion, as an experienced psychologist and young professional have their own advantages. If your problem is complex, neglected, or third parties participated in its formation (for example, your parents who refuse to visit a specialist) — It is better to choose a long-term practicing psychologist. He has enough experience to solve your problem with accounting for all the "aggravating" circumstances. But if you apply to a psychologist for the first time or your situation does not complex a a a a young specialist will also help.
Firstly, the cost of a session with such psychologists, as a rule, is significantly lower. Secondly, they rarely use provocative techniques that can be painful. And, importantly, young doctors have a stronger involvement in your problem — they will try to help you with sincere concern.
These are the main selection criteria, but there are also secondary — they are just as important if you give meaning to them. For example, the gender of the specialist, his age, the situation in the office and and much more. Main — when visiting a psychologist, nothing should cause tension or distrust in you.
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Where it should not look for a good psychologist
Often in attempts to reduce the cost of psychotherapy or in distrust of "official" psychology, many make a mistake.
As a rule, these are alternative methods of psychological influence that are used by people who are far from medicine in general, and psychology in particular.
These are energy therapists, parapsychologists, hypnologists and other pseudo-specialists for whom their activities — nothing more than business.
At at best, you will fail to comply with medical ethics, including confidentiality conditions. At the worst — you lose precious time, and the follow-up treatment by a qualified specialist will require more time and funds.
Moreover, such psychologists, unlike licensed specialists, are not responsible for their actions. And whatever this treatment — you will responsible for any harm done to you.
Therefore, treat the choice of a psychologist with maximum attention — the cost of savings may be too high.
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