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People who suffer from chemical dependency often have issues well beyond the addiction to address. Patients often need to explore reasons for the addiction, painful experiences of the past, the need to establish and build relationships and to cope with legal issues resulting from drug abuse. The types of mental and emotional issues linked to drug abuse are as varied as the addicts. Finding the right therapist to an addict navigate through the arduous journey of recovery is critical.
What to Look for in a Therapist
Seek therapists that speak your language. It is common for people to connect with one therapist and completely reject another. Look for wisdom, compassion and caring, but also look for those with professional, proven training in the areas you need to work on most.
Try to find a therapist with credentials that prove intense academic study in the field of mental health. The person will have a minimum of a master’s degree and preferably a doctorate degree in the field of mental health from a reputable institution of higher learning. The therapist should be able to produce a license from a government board that holds them accountable for their knowledge and practices.
Look for a therapist that has supervised clinical experience. It’s not enough to be a textbook therapist, the person who treats you must have treated others like you and have measured or quantifiable success. When such a professional practices under the supervision of a veteran professional, he or she can gain significant insight and accelerated learning through guidance and coaching.
Only the individual seeking therapy can determine if a therapist is “right.” Different people have different chemistries and addiction is a complex, multi-faceted problem. For some, a female therapist might be preferable. For others, a male therapist would be most advantageous. Consider life issues and experiences as well as historically successful relationships for the patient to determine which gender is best. Sometimes gender is not even an issue if the therapist’s and patient’s personalities mesh for a positive and trusting relationship.
Don’t be afraid to ask many questions of a potential therapist. Ask:
1. What is your area of expertise and have you treated other patients with my problem or similar circumstances?
2. What do you know about addiction and what is the recovery rate for your patients?
3. What do you think causes most people’s problems? This question will help you to identify the therapist’s approach to identifying and treating different problems.
4. How much will this cost. Unless you have an unlimited supply of money, the cost of therapy can be overwhelming. Find out how much the therapist charges, what kind of payment arrangements you can make, whether or not the therapist will accept your insurance and if there are government programs that can help.
5. Can you accommodate my schedule? Find a therapist that is available when you are available and establish a set time and place to meet on a regular basis.
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