Excerpt from Appendix A: Guide to Finding a Good Therapist

In this book, we have proposed that recovery from trauma is complex and best served by having an experienced therapist.Ā  The therapist ā€œcharacterā€ in this book, Dr. Matt, is an amalgam of therapists we have known who possess what can be considered the features and characteristics of a good therapist. We hope it has been enlightening for you to see how Dr. Matt has worked with,Ā  and felt about, the clients presented in the this book.
We think the ā€œprocessā€ of therapy works pretty close to the way we have presented it here, and we further hope you can find a therapist who can be for you what Dr. Matt has been to the recovering people about which weā€™ve written. A cardinal requirement for effective therapy is a healthy working relationship between client and therapist, because much intimate, difficult and fruitful work is done in the context of the client/therapist relationship. Having a good therapist greatly enhances the chance of improvement in your life. Fortunately, there are many good therapists available in almost all parts of the USA (and the rest of the world, for that matter). But: as we have stated in this book, finding the right match between you and a therapist will take a little bit of work and some perseverance. In order to help you organize and execute an effective search to find a therapist that can guide you on the journey of trauma recovery, we present this guide.

 

Qualities of an Effective Therapist

Truth, Tolerance, Toughness and Tenderness

 

Personal Features of a Skilled Helper
Helpful Websites for Finding Prospective Therapists

 

What To Look For In The First Interview