If you’re interested in EMDR therapy for trauma, you might be wondering where to find a qualified therapist. Sometimes, it can be tough to find the right therapist. You might feel like you don’t “click” with the first therapist you meet with, or you may not even know where to begin looking for a therapist! Although connecting with an EMDR therapist can take time, your search does not have to be complicated if you approach it the right way. It’s important to understand all of the resources you have at your disposal. Here are a few steps you can take to find an EMDR therapist who meets your needs.
Consider Your Needs
First, it’s important to think about exactly what you’re looking for in a therapist. Do you want to work with someone who solely practices EMDR therapy, or are you also open to the idea of other treatment methods? If this is the case, you may want to look for therapists who offer several other forms of treatment in addition to EMDR. Furthermore, you might have other preferences, like a therapist with the same cultural background as you. Write down your requirements before you start looking.
Ask For Recommendations
It can be tough to open up to your loved ones about your mental health. But if you know that any of your friends or relatives have been to therapy, especially for similar reasons, you may want to reach out to ask if they would recommend their therapist. Knowing that someone you trust had a good experience with a particular therapist might make you feel more comfortable about scheduling a session with them.
Check Different Resources
Are you a college student? Your college might provide counseling to students through their health center. You can get in touch with the health center to find out if they have any therapists on staff who offer EMDR, or if they could recommend an EMDR therapist in the area.
Sometimes, just googling “EMDR therapist” in your area can bring up too many results to thoughtfully sift through. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check out online directories for therapists in your area. You can filter by the services they offer, specific qualifications that you’re looking for, or other preferences that you might have.
Ask About Their Experience
Many therapists give you the option of booking a free consultation call before you schedule a session. That way, you can learn a bit more about their practice and approach to therapy. If you decide to book a call with a specific therapist, use this time to ask any questions that might be important to you. For instance, you could ask them to describe their process with EMDR clients. You can also inquire about how many years of experience they have with EMDR. You may want to book consultation calls with a few different therapists so you can compare their answers.
Evaluate Your First Session
Think of your first session with a therapist as a trial session. When you’re starting EMDR therapy, your first session will be centered around history taking. Your therapist will ask you about your past experiences and your reasons for seeking therapy. During this session, gauge your comfort level with the therapist. If their style doesn’t suit you, remember that you’re not obligated to book another session. In order to make the most of therapy and truly heal, you need to find a therapist you genuinely trust.
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Are you interested in seeking EMDR therapy? You may be interested in our EMDR treatment services. Contact us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.
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