How many appointments does it take to know if a therapist is a good fit?
Unlike dating, therapy is a relationship for a carefully managed, well-boundaried single hour every week or so, with a person who’s trained and who has experience in doing what they’re doing, probably for thousands of hours, without getting into too much trouble.
Are young kids too young for therapy if they don’t really understand mental health?
We saw kids four and up, many of them victims of abuse and neglect, long term. Other kids came as part of family therapy, and still other had various issues that concerned their parents or professionals.
How does my therapist read my mind? He understands me like no one else does. He only has a few years experience in the field. Is this a skill therapists learn?
Training and experience certainly count, but if you are fortunate enough to have a therapist with particular talents that suit you and your issues? A great gift.
How do you know when someone is really ready for therapy? Or do you just assume they’re ready because they walked in the door?
The therapist is the one who has to be ready. Calm, clear, open, attentive, and ready for the person who walked in the door. No assumptions, no judgments, just unconditional presence.