STEP 1:

GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Information is Power.

It's important that you gather as much information as you can prior to your first contact with a therapist and that you think of yourself as continuing to gather information throughout the search process.

Suggestions:

	Read books
	Go to the Library
	Did the therapist write a dissertation?
	Attend Lectures/seminars that the therapist gives
	Join Clubs/Guilds/Study groups
	Ask around and keep on asking
	Surf the web

Web Links

Information that you can look for can be divided into four categories:

	The most specific to the topic are those who have written similar pages on the process of finding a therapist. Hopefully each has a slightly different and fresh view of the subject. These are the links I have focused on here.
	The next category is about therapy in general and the different kinds of therapy (psychodynamic, Cognitive-behavioral, Humanistic, Gestalt) to name just a few in the mainstream. These links are not well represented here but they exist --Just type in the name.
	The third category is about psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, relationship problems, bereavement.
	and the fourth and final category is on resources/organizations that might be of further help.

Note: The following links are not an endorsement of the person or organization behind the web site.

Rating Your Psychotherapist: The author offers a nice lengthy checklist for rating your psychotherapist.

Choose a Competent Counselor: A Consumer's Guide: Takes you through the process of searching. She goes into some detail about training and qualifications. Note: regarding her description of psychotherapy, she is talking about psychodynamic psychotherapy.

Choosing and Assessing a Psychotherapist: Takes you through the process. Talks about different therapies, looking at the person as a whole, phoning, interviewing, examples of a good match, individual vs. couple.

How to Diagnose a Therapist: Includes some good questions to ask the therapist during the interview.

Choosing a Clinician. Covers credentials, the referral and interviewing process.

Choosing a Psychotherapist: From the American Psychological Association. Also talks about what therapy is, the types of therapy and who provides it.

Choosing a Qualified Therapist: Guide to Consumer Information Services. Talks about the right therapist and therapy for you and the importance of shopping around.

How to Choose a Psychotherapist: Frequently Asked Questions: The author answers questions such as what to look for, the warning signs, the different academic degrees and theoretical orientations, the first appointment and treatment goals.

About Psychotherapy: Brief but nice. Tells you what to expect, talks about the patient/therapist relationship, the transference and the process of therapy in general.

Mental Health Organizations from Yahoo: An annotated list. Remember, many national organizations have local chapters in each state, and often city and county.

Mental Health Net: Explains various disorders and includes relevant resources/organizations.

Internet Mental Health Links: More information on disorders, quite extensive plus resources and organizations.

Online Dictionary of Mental Health: This subject index has even more of a discussion on mental health issues.