The Biggest Red Flags When Picking A Therapist

Choosing a therapist is one of the biggest decisions in your mental health journey. Many therapists market their expertise and use of certain types of therapy. They might claim that their expertise is proven to be the most effective way to treat something. But how do you know if it's best for your therapy goals? And will it really work for you? And what if the treatment is effective but you're not comfortable with the therapist? Does that work?

Evidence-based practices provide a solid foundation. It's an important place to start. But they don't work for everyone. Anyone claiming a single modality is superior and works for everyone raises our eyebrows pretty high. Let's explore why a personalized approach is so important, and how the therapist-client relationship is the key to successful therapy. We’ll also talk about the effectiveness of teletherapy and if it’s something you should consider.

Therapist Red Flag #1: "One Treatment Works For All"

Beware of therapists claiming that their modality works for everyone. Mental health is intricate, and what works for one may not work for another.

Consider this analogy: If you had a rash, you wouldn't keep using an ointment that didn't help you. It wouldn't matter if it worked for most people. What's important is to find what works for you. Similarly, therapy requires flexibility and exploration to tailor strategies to your needs.

Therapist Red Flag #2: "My Method Is Superior To All Others"

Many therapists are passionate about the modalities they use. There is often substantial research to back up claims of effectiveness. But to claim that a modality is unilaterally superior is arrogant and dangerous. A therapist may really love using CBT, but research has shown that it can be harmful for certain conditions. They may love EMDR, but it might be too intense a modality for you.

If a therapist claims a singular modality is the panacea for all issues, it raises concerns. We'd be worried about their adaptability and responsiveness to your individual needs.

Why Do Some Therapists Insist Their Method Is The Best?

Mental health is an intricate field. Just like law, the answer to most questions is "it depends." Which is frustrating! With medical science, for some conditions we very concretely know what works. And in mental health, there is some evidence for where to start, but it's harder to measure effectiveness.

It a world of nuance and complexity, it's tempting to take a black and white stance. It can provide reassurance when there's little to be had. But there must be room for adaptability and individual differences.

Therapist Red Flag #3: You Don't Feel Comfortable

The Importance of The Therapeutic Relationship

Research consistently shows that the relationship between therapist and client is the biggest predictor of success. A strong bond fosters trust, openness, and collaboration. When you feel good about your therapist, therapy is 80% more effective. That's a pretty staggering statistic. There's nothing more important than creating a safe space for exploration and healing. So if you're starting with a new therapist and don't feel like it's a good fit, stop right away. Therapy can be uncomfortable, but the discomfort should come from the content and process, not your relationship with your therapist.

Can I Really Build A Strong Relationship With My Therapist Via Teletherapy?

Yes, absolutely. In our experience, it feels extremely similar to being in person. We’ve even had the experience of meeting clients in person for the first time after years of teletherapy, and heard that our clients are slightly disappointed it didn’t feel any different. This supports all the research that teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy for most conditions.

To read our tips for maximizing your teletherapy appointments, see here.

Therapist Red Flag #4: Loose Privacy Practices

This feels too obvious to name, but if you sense a laisez-faire attitude toward your privacy, beware. If they don't take precautions to protect your privacy, either via teletherapy or in person, they are not upholding their legal and ethical duty to you. If you hear them talking about other clients, it means they're probably also talking about you.

You can file a complaint against a therapist with unethical privacy practices with their licensing board.

Therapist Red Flag #5: They Talk About Themselves A Lot

We've talked about this at length in this blog, but in short, if your therapist is talking about themselves a lot and it makes you uncomfortable, tell them. If it continues after you've asked them to stop, find a new therapist. Therapists should only disclose information about themselves thoughtfully and with a purpose.

Therapist Red Flag #6: "I Can Work With Anyone"

Therapists shouldn't claim they can help everyone. This indicates a lack of cultural humility and lack of concern about goodness of fit. Sure, they might be able to work with you. But as we know, chemistry is the single greatest indicator of therapy success. Someone who says they can have chemistry with everyone is wrong.

You want your therapist to have training and experience in the things bringing you to therapy. If they are a jack-of-all-therapy-types, they are a master of none.

Finding A Great Therapist In California Or Florida

At Laurel Therapy Collective, our matching process helps ensure you get matched the best therapist for you. We know therapy won't work if it's not a good match. That means that we refer people elsewhere if we think someone else would be a better fit. It's not good for business, but it's what's best for each person, which is what we care about most. See how teletherapy can help you find your maximal mental health. Schedule a free consultation today.