Assuming you have decided to try out psychotherapy, you now need someone who can help you cope with your predicament and how to eventually get out of it. This certain ‘someone’ is called a psychologist. He or she is a trained individual in the field of not just psychotherapy but also other kinds of treatments related to psychological disorders.

Can you trust a psychologist? Yes. Psychologists and psychotherapists undergo intensive training after completing  undergraduate and graduate studies. It is imperative for many to earn a doctoral degree. Overall it takes up to 10 years of studies to become a psychologist or psychotherapist.

Thereafter, they are expected to gain some professional experience for which they could either enroll as an intern at a hospital or in any other supervised health setting. These are the basic requirements that need to be met if they plan to really practice psychotherapy independently. Sometimes, one could also work after obtaining their doctorate. Such a rigorous and dedicated training sets this individual apart from the other types of “well-being experts”.

Their training, however, does not end just with getting some work experience. These psychologists in the making also need to pass an examination and receive a license from the locality or region in which they wish to practice. Such laws exist to provide licenses to only those persons who meet the qualifications required to be a practicing licensed psychologist. After receiving one, the psychologist must then also continuously update themselves of the changing trends or emergence of new treatments, etc., in their area of expertise to ensure their work consistently remains efficient. Moreover, another reason you may need to trust the guidance of a psychologist is prevalence of a code of ethics that is enforced upon them and under whose limits they must remain.

For example, one such rule is that the interaction or discussions that takes place between a client and his or her psychologist is strictly confidential and cannot leave the four walls of the room. No third party can or should be allowed access to the files of the client. Else, it would have a negative impact to the patient’s well-being and may hinder in the path of healing oneself. The very first task of a psychologist is to gain the absolute trust of the client and if for some reason, there is a leak of information, not only is the trust broken but also the credibility of the psychologist may be tarnished.

Psychologists either practice in their own established private clinic or in collaboration with a group of other fellow health care professionals.

Today, you can find a psychologist in a multitude of settings and not just in clinics and hospitals. Nearly every educational institute hires a psychologist who can help students who may need to find a way to cope with issues such as studies or peer-pressure. Taking this one level higher, you could also find one as a core member of a team of experts who oversee the well-being of, say, football players.

Finding a psychologist

We always encourage to choose one of our members, yet there are a number of ways by which you could get in touch with a psychologist – either via the Internet or by word of mouth.

You can go online and search for a psychologist in your local area then you can read references on many online reputation sites such as RateMD, Yelp, etc. It is extremely simple and only a few clicks of a mouse button does the trick.

If you are unable to find a suitable one on the Internet, another, and the most simple, way is to ask around. You may then be connected to a psychologist who has already treated someone you know. Or perhaps, a person in your social circle is bound to know of a psychologist or could just provide you with a lead that may seem vague. Nevertheless, it is a start! Normally, another medical professional like a doctor knows of one and would be able to provide you with a referral. You could even go to any local health center and inquire there.

Ultimately, your own will to better yourself and overcome the hurdles in your life would provide an incentive that would give you the perseverance to find the right psychologist who will help you in your goal.

Before deciding that you definitely want the help of a psychologist, you must keep certain points in mind. Other than one-on-one interaction, many psychologists provide group sessions wherein you can either opt to attend them with your family members or with other random strangers who are in seek of help as well. From the get go, it is important you realize what exactly you wish to achieve: do you want your depression to go away, your panic attacks to stop, or alleviate yourself from an eating disorder? It would prove beneficial if you start jotting down your goals on a sheet of paper so that it constantly acts as a reminder whenever you wish to motivate yourself.

Other than these, there are other various aspects that must be taken into account as well. Would the sessions be easy on your pocket or would you have to resort to health insurances or benefit programs given by the company for which you work? Moreover, supposing the psychologist you have contacted happens to live about an hour’s drive from your home, are you willing to travel all the way and how many times a week or month can you make the time to attend these sessions?

Once you have taken all of the above into consideration, take the final step you feel is best for you.