How to Choose the Best Therapist for Entrepreneurs
Working as an entrepreneur can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also bring its own set of problems and stressors. Luckily, there are experienced therapists who specialize in helping entrepreneurs manage mental health issues and reach their entrepreneurial goals. Read on to learn more about choosing the best therapist for your needs and how therapy can support you on your journey.
Check their qualifications and experience.
It’s quite essential to ensure your therapist is qualified and experienced before you begin working with them. Additionally, inquire about their experience in the field of therapeutic work for entrepreneurs specifically – this will give you an indication of how well-versed they are in providing support tailored to entrepreneurs, as opposed to providing generic therapy services. Since psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and holistic therapist all come from different education, I would suggest you start by looking at work experience and development in that specific type of work.
Research their treatment approach.
After you’ve checked the credentials and experience of your potential therapist, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with their treatment approach. Different therapists will offer different approaches to therapy, as well as different methods for helping you reach your therapeutic goals. Some may take a more cognitive-behavioral approach, while others may use more psychodynamic techniques, or specific modalities like Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting or hypnotherapy. Understanding this can help you assess whether the therapist is the best fit for your individual needs. Need more information on the various methods and modalities? You can easily trust Wikipedia to give you a great start.
Schedule a consultation or initial visit.
It’s important to schedule a consultation or initial visit with your potential therapist before committing to a therapeutic relationship. During this session, you should have the opportunity to speak freely with the therapist and get to know them better. This will help you assess whether they are genuinely interested in hearing your goals and getting to know more about you as a person, rather than rushing through the session quickly and shifting the focus mainly onto their topics of interest. You also have the opportunity to ask more detailed questions on their approach to your question, and the method they would suggest to use.
Ask about their fees, availability, and appointments policy
As you are researching potential therapists, make sure to ask about their fees, programs, appointments and their cancellation policy if you need to reschedule an appointment for any reason. Knowing these details upfront can help you decide whether a particular therapist is the right fit for your needs.
Build a relationship of trust with your therapist.
When building your relationship with your therapist, trust plays an essential role in progress. Take some time to get to know your therapist and how they approach counseling. Knowing their methodologies and experience can also help you determine if a particular therapist is the best fit for you.
Remember that this counseling journey is about reaching your goals through open and honest communication, so it’s important to find a therapist who makes you feel safe and comfortable. In my experience it takes time for a trusting relationship to build and to maintain, and oftentimes difficulties are a great way to deepen that trust. I would suggest you listen to your own belly very carefully in finding a therapist, but at the same time be open to the idea that your own scars and wounds could trigger something in contact with a therapist that can turn out into something very beneficial. Easy and nice isn't always the most productive.