There are so many therapists out there, it’s difficult to find a therapist who will be able to help you with your specific problems. First you need to check that they are affiliated with a professional, accredited regulatory body. In the UK there are several. I belong to the National Counselling Society. Spend time on the therapist’s website finding information about their services. Is the therapist that interests you working in a specialist area, or working with a multitude of problems? I would argue that working with chronic pain and illness is a specialist area and requires some medical knowledge of the condition. Does the therapist have a relevant background in the problems that you are experiencing?
When trying to find a therapist, have they received specialised training for online therapy? Online work is as effective as face-to-face therapy, but with differences. Undertaking training to work online is not a required specification, but recommended.
Unlike the title ‘Dr’, there are no protected titles for Mind-Body work and other therapies, allowing anyone to make claims as they please. That’s why it’s so important to do your research. If the claims seem too good to be true, they probably are.
When finding a therapist it’s also important to have a formal assessment and screening for health conditions that need further investigations before seeking out a therapist to help you. Check with your doctor that they are happy for you to engage in therapy to help your psychological and physical problems.
Situations in health are never black and white. Living with persistent pain and long-term illness is complex. You deal not only with the condition, but also a wealth of emotions and experiences around your it. It can be debilitating and affects your ability to cope with psychological, emotional, and physical stress.
Do you understand all the terminology on the website? Advertised therapies can be confusing in terms of their purpose and effectiveness. Are they evidence based and used in isolation or alongside other therapies? An example of this is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Who knows about this, besides maybe reading it in the news? You might know someone who has tried CBT and found it helpful. Explore various therapy types and research to find the best one for you.
Also, when finding a therapist you’ll find a free introductory call is usually offered to see if you are a good match for working together. Taking this option is always a good idea. You can see if you instinctively like the therapist before committing-and you can ask questions about the types of therapy the person offers.
As The Mind & Body Guide, my approach to therapy is to help you to understand yourself mentally and physically.
I have decades of experience in health care, including years spent working as a senior physiotherapist in the NHS. I’ve taught Pilates to hundreds of people. And I’m a qualified psychotherapist with a suite of therapy skills to draw on.
By working together, we can plot your pathway to a healthier, happier life.
