Definition of a Therapist

In the legal sense, Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are licensed mental health professionals who work with individuals, couples, and families to cure or relieve mental, emotional, and relational concerns of all kinds. In California, MFTs must have the minimum of a two-year masters degrees, 3,000 hours of supervised experience, and have passed two rigorous exams.

Historically, therapy is a practice that dates back to prehistory. It is a special relationship that started when humans began living together in communities and sought healing or counsel from particular members of the tribe. Usually, this was a Shaman, an Elder, a Wise Man, or Wise Woman. These people were not always wiser than the others, but were skilled at helping people to uncover the seeker's own innate wisdom.

Finding a Therapist

Therapy is a collaborative process, so finding someone with whom you have a sense of rapport is critical. Because therapy is hard work and can be difficult, you want a therapist who is sensitive. However, picking a therapist because they promote themselves as caring and supportive can be shortsighted in that they may not have the skills needed to address your particular issues. In all areas of life, it is good to be cautious of people who are "act" kind and caring beyond what would be considered reasonable. Your therapist and you will be a team and you want someone who is sincere as well as compassionate.

Recommendations From Friends and Family

On the face of it, it always seems like a good idea to get recommendations from friends and family for any service you're looking for. However, with therapy, this can be a lot more problematic than say, getting a hair cut or having youre kitchen remodeled. Friends, relatives, ands other associates may not necessarily be the best judge of competence and probably don't know if a therapist is the right match for for your specific needs. Additionally, seeing a friend's or relative's therapist could also raise concerns of loyalty, competitiveness, and confidentiality.

Getting referrals from doctors, clergy, and mental health professionals can also be tricky. They may not know enough about psychotherapy, different approaches, and practitioners and you may end up being referred to a doctor's colleague or friend who is biased towards a particular treatment approach that really isn't appropriate for you.

Licensed Versus Unlicensed

It's always a good idea to see a licensed therapist because they have more experience and have passed a series of tests in order to receive licensure. There are exceptions to this, however. If money is limited, you may want to consider seeing a trainee or a registered intern. One caveat here: Seeing a trainee or intern for therapy is best for issues that are less serious, such as minor adjustment problems. Issues that are more serious, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction can actually be aggravated by an inexperienced therapist. This generally occurs as therapy triggers old issues and the trainee or intern doesn't have the experience to handle the situation. Therefore, if you have issues from childhood or problems that you consider more serious, a licensed therapist is the safe choice.

Credentials and Training

When "shopping" for a therapist, look at the type of credentials they have. A Ph.D. can be nice, but what else do they have? Specialized trainings, certifications, and acceditation show a commitment to learning how to best help and serve the needs of their clients. It also shows an assertiveness that you want in your therapist. You want someone who has as many tools as posisble to help you to achieve your therapuetic goals.

Qualities of a Good Therapist