Therapist

Trying therapy for the first time can be an intimidating experience. For many people, the idea of therapy is one that prompts avoidance. Expressing your most vulnerable thoughts to a stranger is not something that you warm up to right away. Success with therapy is a gradual process, but there may be times when you might think that you are better off with a different therapist. As a seasoned therapist can tell you, this feeling is a fairly normal aspect about therapy, but here are a few signs that you may need to see a new therapist. 

You Are Not Making Progress 

If you have been attending several therapy sessions with a therapist and have not noticed any signs of improvement or changes moving in a positive direction, it may be worth considering a different one. While it’s normal to not experience changes right away, if you feel like you are still at the same position since the beginning of your sessions, it could be a sign that you should explore other options. You may not be responding well to the therapist’s methods. This does not necessarily mean you or the therapist are at fault, it could just be that you may be better matched with a different therapist. 

You Don’t Have Rapport With Them

Finding a therapist you can be comfortable with and truly connect with does not come easily. When you speak to a therapist you should feel at ease with them and feel like they are actively listening to you. If that is not the case, you should not feel guilty for switching to a new therapist whom you can have more positive and productive sessions with. 

They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries

During a therapy session, there is a boundary that has to be respected by both the client and therapist conducting the session. A therapist should know how to enforce that boundary and be careful not to cross it themselves. If you feel that the therapist has violated the therapist-patient relationship, you are not obligated to leave and can switch to a new therapist. 

They Dismiss Your Claims

If a therapist seems to undermine your thoughts and opinions, or if they seem disinterested or distracted during sessions, it is time to move on from them. A therapist should be respectful of their clients and provide their complete attention to you. They should never belittle you or talk down to you for any reason. It is also important that they take you seriously and not try to dismiss your issues. 

Knowing when to switch to a new therapist who is better suited to your needs is not always clear. As a seasoned Bethesda, MD therapist can tell you more about like one at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, therapy is a gradual process and it can take a lot of trial and error. You can expect to not immediately talk to the right therapist for you, since they have their own approaches to counseling patients. Find a therapist that’s right for you by scheduling an appointment at a counseling center to access mental health services.