Research shows that the relationship between therapist and client is the most successful, and healing aspect of therapy.
So how do you even get to the relationship? How can you sift through all those decisions between modalities, training, locations, times etc, to build the relationship in the first place?
You are going to have to make choices. Look at their photos; decide whether you like the look of someone. You will make judgements on their gender, their hair, their face, their photo background, how old they are - remember life brings experience, not age. All these judgements you make are influences from your life experience.
Look at qualifications, read their blurb; you need to build relationship, and you’ll know whether you can when you get in the room with someone: They also need to be able to hold you, to take risks with you, and to enable a safe environment when you take those risks. This takes training and theoretical knowledge as well as the art of relationship building.
Look for membership body status - there is no regulation or legalisation of therapists, but most reputable professionals are members of their professional membership bodies, and will state so on their websites or practice profiles.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are paying for a service. And a super important service at that. Ask for what you need. If your therapist isn’t able to provide this, there may be a legitimate, therapeutic reason, and they will explain this.
Well done for making the first step into asking for help, finding a new way. Don’t allow the fear of building this new and unique relationship halt the process before it’s begun.