How To Choose A Therapist

​Silver Lake Psychology is a collective of therapists with a wide variety of specialties.  Here are some tips for choosing the right therapist:

Therapy is not a uniform experience. It’s the intersection of science, art and relationship. A variety of therapy methodologies exist—in fact, you are essentially choosing amongst different services.  Here is some guidance for making a smart decision on which therapist to choose.

An important question to ask yourself is: what kind of experience are you looking for?

Symptom relief
Are you looking for relief from specific mental health symptoms such as anxiety, trauma or depression?
If so, you would want to choose a therapist who uses research supported, specific methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Mindfulness-Basedinterventions for anxiety or OCD.
For trauma, choose a therapist who practices EMDR, Sensorimotor Therapy or Cognitive Therapy. These methodologies are effective. Therapy is more structured and follows a plan and measures results. This kind of therapy is generally short term.

Exploratory
Exploratory therapy digs deeper into emotions, thoughts and memories. This work is gradual and the effect may be a sturdier sense of self, a more sustainable sense of self -acceptance and awareness. Many people choose this form of therapy to unpack life decisions about relationships or career. Some people use it as a talking meditation.
Exploratory therapy may be less structured and more creative. Therapists use a range of tools such as art, drama therapy, gestalt therapy (empty chair work) to help clients access the authentic desires that get locked away while distracted by daily life.
Jungian, gestalt, art therapy or drama therapy have the power to surprise us with powerful insights, and new ways of helping stuck feelings to lift away. Many people use this form of therapy as part of a wellness program—we believe that successful people benefit from ongoing self-development and support through all of life’s challenges.

​Relationship based
When you want to figure out why relationships haven’t worked out, or how to love more openly and passionately, when you have social anxiety or unfinished business with your parents or past lovers, this is the focus to ask for. Your therapist may use therapeutic relationship as a mirror to provide social feedback and to help you see your blind spots. This kind of therapy involves learning about your relationship style (attachment style) and blocks in an affirming yet challenging environment.
 
Other tips
 
Good therapy does not involve advice giving. Rather, therapists will provide the right questions and processes for self-discovery and self-definition.
A good therapist is active rather than passive.
A good therapist is curious rather than aggressive—but will confront as needed to assist in new learning.
In general, skill trumps gender.
 
MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) vs Psychologist? 
In the context of a private practice setting, there is not a difference in qualifications to be a personal our couple’s therapist.