Selecting the most suitable psychologist in each case: 6 keys to follow

Going to the psychologist is not an easy decision to make. Contrary to what we think, Today there is still a lot of confusion about what psychotherapy is and how it works.

Currently, the presence of the Internet in our lives has caused us to be exposed to overinformation and multitude of offers regarding the subject, which, many times, far from helping us, blocks us and causes more doubts.

On the other hand, on many occasions, we have fears such as: "Will it be useful to go?", "Will you understand me?", "What will you think of me?" If to that we add that it is a fundamentally private service and where the results are not immediate, the situation is complicated.

However, there are times in life when it is difficult to find a way out of a situation for ourselves. They and our environment, even if they want to, do not have the ability to help us and we need that help professional. In situations like this, you have to know how to select the psychologist that suits what you are looking for.

• Related article: "The 8 benefits of going to psychological therapy"

Keys to be successful when deciding on a psychologist

It is very important to choose the psychology professional well, since, in the same way that an adequate therapy can do us a lot of good, a bad therapy can also do us a lot of harm. To avoid, as far as possible, that the latter happens, it is convenient to take into account several of the factors indicated below:

1. Beware of professional intrusion

Make sure that the person you go to is, first of all, a psychologist and, in addition, is registered. You can check the latter by consulting the website of the Official College of Psychology of the corresponding city.

2. Choose a legally approved professional

The psychologist must have a degree that allows him to practice General Health Psychology in the corresponding Autonomous Community.

Since 2013, to legally practice psychology in the private sphere, it is mandatory to have either completed the Master's Degree in Psychology General Sanitaria or, on the contrary, have some training and experience within the practice of health psychology and, as consequence, be in possession of the qualification of General Health Psychologist, as well as being part of the team of psychology professionals in a Center registered in the Registry of Health Centers of the Corresponding Autonomous Community.

3. Be wary of "miracle remedies"

Psychotherapy is a process that takes time and that implies a certain level of commitment and willingness to change on the part of the patient.. It is true that in many cases important changes begin to be observed from the third month, but for these to be lasting and at a deeper level, more time is required.

4. Be wary of offers, bonuses, too cheap prices, etc.

Although more and more changes are taking place in this regard, even today, for psychotherapy to be effective and offer good results, normally, you have to go private. And as a consequence, just as when we go to the dentist or a lawyer's office, this involves a certain economic investment.

It is true that in certain personal economic situations, prices can be adjusted a little, but always within reasonable amounts and taking into account each particular case. To get an idea, as a guide, we can consult the website of the Official College of Psychology corresponding, according to which, normally, the average recommended price per session that is usually around 60 euros.

5. Look for someone specialized

The psychologist You must have specialization in your particular problem, with postgraduate training and experience in this regard. For example, if what you think is happening to you is that you have a traumaLook for people who specialize in dealing with these topics and, if possible, with the title of EMDR therapist, although they work with more approaches.

6. Be guided by your own common sense and judgment

Trust the impression that this professional gives you, both in one sense and the other. For a therapy to work it is essential that there is a good therapeutic relationship.

Therefore, it is important to take into account the confidence that the person gives him as a professional when addressing her case, how comfortable he feels talking to him and expressing your most intimate thoughts and concerns, if you feel understood and heard, if you feel judged or uncomfortable, if you feel that it helps you or not, etc. That is something you feel, and usually we are not used to being wrong.