Do you need a psychologist? How to choose a good specialist.

A psychologist works with the most delicate matters. It is not a tailor who will show you the results of his work and you will understand whether you are interested in cooperation, a good psychologist respects confidentiality. But I will tell you about some factors that will help you choose a specialist to solve your psychological problems.

The basic education of a psychologist can be different - medical, pedagogical, psychological, but further specialized training education in psychotherapy is a must.

Ask the psychologist if he's been through peer rehab.

You don't need an inexperienced psychologist, but an experienced one should be rehabilitated to avoid the effects of professional burnout.

Think about who is easier for you to communicate with - a man or a woman?

With whom do you feel safe and secure and relaxed? Although the gender of the psychologist is usually not important, except in some cases of sexual problems.

The age of the psychologist and his nationality are of no great importance. Sometimes young specialists have the latest methods, while experienced people are oriented to the realities of their youth. Sometimes, on the contrary, a young specialist is proud of a diploma that was simply paid for by his parents. You have to be oriented on other factors. For example, ask whether the specialist has worked with problems similar to yours.

How do you look for a psychologist?

There are two of the most popular methods that have consistently proven themselves

• online search for a psychologist
• Interviewing people you know for recommendations.

The plus side of searching for a psychologist online is that you will be able to learn about the specialization of a particular therapist right away.

The plus side of recommending psychologists is that you will know that this professional can solve some problems.

But after all, there are quite sensitive issues that you can not discuss with everyone in a row, so it can be quite difficult to look for a specialist with the help of acquaintances.

There is a perception that the higher the fees, the better the specialist.

This is not always the case, there are many good therapists who just haven't become very well known and expensive specialists yet.

When you choose a psychologist based on the level of payment for their services, consider that a good professional doesn't work for free.It is also wrong to choose the most expensive specialist, while at the same time compromising on the costs of other needs. If only because during counseling you will be focused not on communication with the psychologist, but on your financial difficulties.

On the other hand, it is worth remembering that the cheaper the specialist, the less experience he has and the less professional he is.

Some novice psychologists set dumping prices intentionally to bring in clients in order to gain experience, after which, as a rule, prices are raised. Therefore, when choosing a psychologist based on the criterion of "low price", it is worth first deciding for yourself whether you are willing to be a so called "A guinea pig."

As a rule, a good psychologist is neat in appearance, but dressed simply and without excessive gloss. He is not focused on himself, but on you and does not try to attract your attention to his person, his appearance and so on.

Another important point: where a psychologist conducts counseling sessions.

A good specialist has a place to work with clients - his or her own or rented office, or in extreme cases, a separate office at home. Visiting the client at home is allowed in extremely rare cases, for example, if the client himself cannot come for a consultation due to objective circumstances. And as a rule it is paid in double amount.

Pay special attention to the way the psychologist talks to you. An experienced and trustworthy specialist will not descend to manipulations, stories about how much you need his help and what will happen if you refuse it, does not impose at the first conversation solutions to those problems that you yourself have not even guessed.

And don't rush to make a decision, a lot depends on who will help resolve your internal problems.