How do you recognize a good psychologist? There are so many choices online or in real life. Where do I start?

Choosing a psychologist is as subjective as choosing the colour of your living room walls. All psychologists are trained to give you the basic care and have chosen one or more schools of thoughts or systems or topics in which they specialize. Finding out which background theoretical knowledge your therapist has, might give you a first idea. For instance, if you are depressed you will want a therapist who is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). If you struggle with addiction, experience with motivational interviewing and stages of change are commendable. If you are looking at starting a new business, it is handy if your therapist is solution focused and has coaching experience. If you wish to get to the bottom of patterns that are repeating itself in your life, you may consider psychoanalysis. If your loved ones are your main concern, family and systems therapy can bring insights. Ask the therapist to explain in normal words (jij zorgt er wel voor zeker dat ze dat gaan doen zeker? Zou ik weglaten, anders lijkt het dat ze dat niet kunnen. Meeste van mijn collega’s kunnen dat echt niet, hoor. Ofwel spreken ze tegen je zoals tegen een kind, ofwel gebruiken ze grote woorden) how (s)he works and which form of therapy they recommend for your type of problem. If they speak psychology-ese about their field of expertise, you can choose to give them a skip.

Whether a therapist is right for you might be a process of trial and error. A good measure is to try it out for three sessions. If you have not managed to take anything from these sessions, take it up with your therapist so (s)he can help you with a referral. Bear in mind that finding a good therapist has little to do with liking them as a person. You need to find a person that can make you work, that makes you think about things, and brings something else to the table than your friends or family.

Does that sound vague? Try out our successful recipe:

  • Find a person whose qualifications on paper are backed up with years of practical experience, lots of common sense, and a fair dose of true life experience. No matter which setting you choose (brick and mortar or virtual office), search for a real person who displays genuine care and empathy.
  • Cut away the crap: You have no need for a super hero. Rather opt for one that is cognizant of their own limitations but has a keen interest in personal growth, positive psychology and a ‘can do’ attitude. A person who experienced highs and lows in life first hand and has learned something from it, can assist you better on your path. They have found a balance in their life and can focus on your needs (within the boundaries of the professional relationship). In short, a therapist that is ‘grounded’, and is not scared to share their knowledge, is a key ingredient.
  • Add a cup of creativity: Good therapists think outside the box. They do not necessarily color inside the lines. They are creative, open-minded, with a genuine interest and desire to learn. They like to go to the core of the problem rather than treating the symptoms.
  • Sprinkle with a cloud of humor: Humor – called the first sign of intelligence by some – is an important tool in therapy. It can deflate a highly tense and sensitive situation. It allows us to put emotions, thoughts, situations in context. As soon as we are able to laugh at our own dramas, we are busy moving on and the misfortunes have become part of the past. Part of who we are.
  • Throw away the timer. Allow to simmer until ready.

You are facing an open, honest, genuinely caring, authentic, integrated person.

How do we apply the recipe at MindBooster?

If you choose the MindBooster platform, you have already picked a specific type of philosophy that all MindBoosters adhere to. We match your needs to the specific skills of a counsellor and will check if you are happy with the suggestion or if you prefer to try out another MindBooster.

When it comes to applying the recipe for a good therapist, we can attest that our MindBoosters are spiced according to our specific flavor, with the following special ingredients:

Self-knowledge is the beginning of all wisdom (Aristotles).

Taking a step back and creating a healthy distance, helps to form an opinion or to make sense of something. Our therapists removed themselves physically or mentally from their lives at some stage. They have moved outside their comfort zone and away from what is safe and known. Some did this through long term travel, others through living or working abroad, or closer to home: by engaging in various projects or fulfilling different roles. They have a good understanding of what it is like to be caught in the rat race, but their own search for something else has created a deeper understanding of their own inner life. Taking a step back and looking on from a distance engendered an awareness of their own limitations and challenged their preconceived ideas. A humbling experience. MindBoosters bring this self-knowledge in the therapeutic relationship.

Resonance

Your MindBooster makes a pact with you:

  • to walk a road together
  • to stare danger and your worst fears in the face
  • to not give up at the first hurdle
  • to tackle the obstacles together

No (wo)man is left behind.

Your MindBooster will bring the accumulated theoretical, practical, and lived-through knowledge, into your working relationship. You gain more insight in the workings of your own mind. At certain points, where your experiences overlap with those of the therapist, you will feel understood on a deeper level. The life-experience of the MindBooster resonates with your needs. You no longer feel alone in your plight.

Feeling truly supported by a balanced, genuine, trustworthy professional who only has your best interests at heart gives you the energy required to tackle the issues in your life. Try it out!