Questions To Ask A Psychologist Before Hiring One

Published on: 12 December 2018 Last Updated on: 22 November 2021
Psychologist

 The human brain is always on the go, so it’s no surprise that at some point or another, humans experience being mentally and emotionally burned out. Caring for your psychological welfare is a huge responsibility; talking about it and not getting any medical help adds up to your frustrations. When this happens, the best thing to do is look for a psychologist that is highly-qualified and professional.

For many, it is a big leap to seek professional help, but it is essential for your healing. However, there are things you need to consider before hiring one to avoid wasting any of your time, money, and effort to ineffective treatment.

Here are some of the questions you need to ask from your prospect psychologist  

There are multiple questions you can ask your psychologist to get the clearance of your problems in the best possible manner. Let’s find out some of the effective means you can apply to develop your treatment process  in the right direction.

1. How will you treat me?

treat me

The first thing you need to know is how the psychologist can help you get through your mental issues. If their answers are not satisfying, try looking for psychologists at Open Sky Psychology where you can find various psychologists offering different treatments for different issues. Since your reason for hiring one is to heal from your psychological warfare, it is but necessary to ask them these details in relation:

  • The psychological treatment that will be used to address the problem.
  • The kind of methods needed to treat other patients with similar problems as you and a general overview on how said patients has recovered.
  • The methods that are being used and the probability of success.

2. Have you encountered issues similar to my case?

They say that experience is the best teacher and this applies to your prospect psychologist, too. No matter how long they have been practicing, there are cases they may have not encountered yet and you wouldn’t want to be the first. To gauge the experience level of your prospective psychologist, consider these details:

  • The number of patients that have the same problem as yours.
  • The number of patients that need treatment and are still undergoing treatment.
  • The length of time needed before positive changes are evident.
  • The estimated timeline or length of time that is needed for cases like yours.

3. Can you evaluate if the treatment is working for me?

 Some patients want honest answers to how they are doing, whether they’re doing well or not. Be bold enough to ask these questions to identify psychologists who are honest:

  • Along the treatment, will you tell me if I’m doing well or not?
  • Will you point out if there are changes?
  • How will you gauge my changes?
  • Will you be direct about it or will you wait for the entire treatment to be done before giving your evaluations?

 4. What is your area of expertise?

 Knowing the theoretical orientation of your potential psychologist helps you decide whether you’re seeking the right one or not. Psychologists have different expertise which requires different approaches. Here are questions to help you identify the right psychologist for your problem:

  • What is your area of focus?
  • How long have you been working on your expertise?
  • Do you have any credentials to support your claim?
  • Do you regularly attend seminars or training to further your knowledge?
  • Do you rely solely on your knowledge when treating a patient or do your research to find more about it?

 5. What is your availability?

 It is essential to know the availability of your therapist, especially if your case needs constant support and advice from your psychologist. Ask them these questions to see if they can be reachable:

  • Can I call you anytime?
  • If not, what times of the day and night can I call you?
  • How can I reach you?
  • Do you have a separate emergency contact number?
  • Can you keep me up to date if you will be away for a long time?

 6. Can we be friends?

 Your psychologist must maintain a professional yet distant relationship with you. Remember that you need professional help, not a friend. Consider it a red flag when their answers to these questions are a yes:

  • Can I hang out with you during your free time?
  • Can you add me up on my social media accounts?
  • Do you have friends from your patients’ list?

Conclusion

 Having someone to vent out your problems is different from having a psychological therapy. It is important to seek professional help when you know you are suffering from within. But to be treated effectively needs the right psychologist. Bear the difficulty of finding the right one then go to an exhausting treatment process that will not help you. When you know you are in good hands, chances are you will be healed in time. There are multiple ways you can adopt to cure your patients.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

therapies

Best Therapies to Cure Pain and Discomfort

The two most common non-addictive and non-invasive therapies are heat and ice. The two therapies can be used alternatively and are often employed as a preface to exercise. Also, these two agents must be used with caution and care. So it is always recommended to seek the advice of a healthcare professional before applying it. Heat therapies help in vasodilation that means drawing blood into the targeted tissues. The increased flow of the blood delivers the required oxygen and nutrients. It eliminates the unnecessary cell wastes too. The warmness relaxes the muscles, relieves the muscle pain and increase the motion. The cold ice pack for pain relief produces vasoconstriction. It means the slowing of the circulation that helps in reducing inflammation, pain and muscle spasm. The superficial cold packs are available in many forms, including a range of commercial packs, ice cubes, iced towels, cold compresses and various forms of hydrotherapy. The duration of cold therapy is always less than heat therapy, generally less than 15 minutes. The best cold pack for pain relief is regarded as the cold compresses. The effect of cold packs is known to last longer than heat packs. The cold or ice should not be applied directly over the skin. Always put a block such as a towel, between the cold agent and the skin surface to prevent any sort of damage. The damaged commercial cold packs must be discarded or thrown off immediately as the chemical or gel can burn the skin. The ice packs can be applied for multiple times a day (e.g. up to seven to eight times in a span of twenty-four hours).  There are different types of ice packs which can be used for relief of pain. Every option brings effective results and patients can select the best for them based on the preference and budget. The common types of cold packs available on the commercial platforms include reusable cold packs which are generally filled with gels. Disposable ice packs which can be used for single use. These are known as instant cold packs as well a chemical reaction takes place as soon as the pack is opened. Here you don’t need to put the ice pack in the freezer prior to use. To evade any kind of ice pack burn, you must be aware to limit the application of ice to not more than 15-20 minutes. Plus, don’t dare to fall asleep putting on an ice pack. It could result in hazardous damage. With every kind of pain relief treatments, there comes a list of cautions. The ice application should be dodged by the patients with some specific medical ailments such as for the patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, cold allergic conditions, Raynaud’s syndrome, paralysis, and impaired sensation syndrome. In other words, the ice application and ice massage are highly helpful during the first 48 hours following pain in the muscles. Icing is a mild, drug-free method of dampening the pain of inflammation. Read also:  An Overview Of Schizophrenia

READ MOREDetails
Benefits of Therapy and Counseling

The Real Benefits of Therapy and Counseling You Should Know

Everyone goes through rough patches now and again – that's just the way life is, and most of the time, it's a matter of being in a situation which is beyond your control. But there are certain times when difficulties can have a really adverse effect on one's outlook and behavior, and this is where therapy and counseling may become a necessity. Different people go through different psychological challenges and issues, including depression, anxiety, and grief, and counseling can be beneficial when you are dealing with these issues. But counseling and therapy are more than just seeking professional help – it's also about being able to talk to someone about what you feel and what you are going through. This is only one of the many benefits of therapy and counseling. Here are some other real benefits of anti-depression therapy and counseling you should know. Get a different perspective on your thoughts and views: When you speak to someone about your emotions, thoughts, and feelings, this allows you to see those same thoughts and feelings from a different perspective other than your own. Just the simple act of talking about what you are feeling enables you to listen to yourself, thus allowing you to gain a new understanding of what you are going through. Seeing a counselor or therapist is similar to writing in a diary or journal – when you see your own problems in written form, you can examine them from a different angle. Sometimes, you may find that your worries and issues may not be founded on a concrete cause, or what you may have considered a dire situation or problem turns out not to be as terrible as you had thought. A purging experience: Many keep things inside, and this isn't beneficial to them – or anyone else, for that matter. But when you speak to a counselor or therapist, you can essentially ‘vent’ and purge yourself of what you have probably been keeping inside for a long time. Bottling up one's feelings isn't ideal for anyone – but you can have the perfect chance to release those feelings when you receive counseling and support. The ideal time to process what you are going through: Our lives are always busy – most of us hardly have the time to sit down to have a meal, let alone talk about our feelings and emotions. But when you speak with a therapist or counselor, you are setting aside time in order to process your feelings – be it remorse, anger, grief, sadness, or any other complex emotion. When you spend time in counseling, you are also prioritizing your needs and have the opportunity to confront whatever issue you have face to face. A couple can take advantage of a neutral observer: If you are a couple and you are interested in seeking counseling or therapy to better your relationship or improve it, you can take advantage of a neutral observer. Many couples may have a hard time confronting their issues or even talking about them without getting into an argument, simply because they are so emotionally involved. But with a counselor or therapist, you can take the time to sort through your issues and air your views as a couple without fear of judgment or arguments. Having a therapist or counselor with you as you air your views and feelings means that the therapist or counselor can be the mediator you need; they can enable you to see each other’s feelings and arguments from the other person’s perspective as well. Read Also: What Is Somatic Psychology And How Does It Work? Testosterone Replacement Therapy What To Expect Tips On Writing A Winning Reflection Paper In College Stoke Your Spirit: 4 Soulful Ways To Reach Spiritual Wellness And Lead A Calmer Life

READ MOREDetails
Marathon Training Section

Marathon Training Section. Breaking Through the Wall

Every runner knows what “to hit the wall” means and almost every runner lives in fear of it interfering with their race. During a marathon hitting the wall is the main problem, thus, breaking through wall is the number one priority as the success with the race depends on it. The wall is considered as the most difficult period in a marathon when things transition from being just hard to being really very-very hard. It is a specific runner`s condition of sudden fatigue and loss of energy. For most runners, the latest 6.2 miles (or 10-K) of the marathon are commonly the toughest part of the race when the legs feel like if they are made of cement, when the stomach is queasy, the head starts getting dizzy and negative thoughts flood the mind. The wall is hard to describe to a non-runner as it`s something that needs to experience to understand. Jerome Drayton, winner of the 81st Boston Marathon, said it best: “To describe the agony of the marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain the color to someone who was born blind.” Some athletes call it “wall”, some also call this state “bonking”.  But it doesn't really matter how to call it, it`s more importantly, what to do about it, namely, how to break through the wall and reach the finish line first. The key to avoiding the wall or at least minimizing its impact on your race is understanding what`s going on in your body and preparing yourself for it with proper training, intelligent race management, right nutrition and appropriate hydration strategies. Prepare Your Body For The Race  If you include the long training runs in your training program you'll be able to train your body for the marathon. Your long runs are the best training for avoiding the wall as they will condition your muscle for a marathon distance. By the way, they help you build your endurance and make your muscles more injury resistant. You have to experience and stimulate the exertion of the marathon every day, preferably 16 weeks before it. Your long runs should be done slowly (at least 2 minutes per mile) than the marathon pace. Remember, here your goal isn't a distance, here your goal is duration! For example, if you run training commonly lasts 4:30 hours, your long run should last 4 hours (it means 3 hours of long runs in the morning and an additional hour in the evening). Analyze Nutrition Matters  When your aim is to win the marathon you have to draw your attention to the right nutrition strategy. If you prepare your muscles with daily progressive long runs that's great, but don't forget your muscles are fueled by using the combination of fat and glycogen. The harder you're pushing yourself, the more fuel your body needs. So you should eat before the marathon and during it! At least 300 calories you need to take in an hour before the race to raise your blood sugar level and help your brain concentrate on the task. Then every hour of the marathon you should consume about 200 calories. That can be candy, a banana, cookies, energy gels or an energy bar. It would be better if you work out what fuel is easiest for you to transport, use and digest before the race. Drink More Often  It`s equally important to stay hydrated during the marathon. When you lose water through sweat, your overall blood volume is decreased and that's why there's less blood available to carry oxygen to your muscles. So dehydration also leads to the marathon wall. Try not to pass the early water stops even if you feel that you're not thirsty! By the time your body tells you it's thirsty, you're already dehydrated. You have to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water or sports drink 2 hours before the marathon and take in 6 to 8 ounces of water or sports drink at every water station every 15-20 minutes of the race (of course, depending on the weather conditions, your body size and sweat rate). This will help you avoid dehydration so your blood will move smoothly from your heart to your leg muscles, providing the oxygen to those muscles and shuttling waste products away. By the way, consuming enough fluids keeps sweat flowing that cools you down and helps you ease muscle cramps. Don`t be afraid to lose your precious time, just stop and drink. These few seconds will pay off further. Follow Proper Marathon Race Management  The biggest and most common marathon race mistake is to start the marathon too fast. Of course, you feel so strong and full of energy early in the race, so you tend to run too fast. Don`t do that, in no case! If you want to cross the finish line you have not to overestimate your potential. Keep in mind that you have to save your energy for the last 6 miles. Use Head Games To Reach The Finish Line  To make the last 6 miles easier you shouldn't focus on how your body is feeling or your fatigue, if anything, you can visualize yourself in another situation and try to dissociate. For example, don`t concentrate on the race you may imagine yourself by the sea or visualize achieving your goal. The main thing is to think of something nice and you'll cross the finish line before you know it! As you see with the right training program and racing techniques, proper nutrition, hydration and mental strategies you can easily make the last 6 miles of your marathon and defeat the wall once and for all. Read More : Why Jumping On Trampolines Is More Beneficial Than Running Or Jogging? How To Train Your Brain With Math Yoga For Pregnant Women   Helen Rogers is an editor of http://thecrossfitshoes.com/ She helps people get stronger. She shares running and sports questions, beauty tips. All her stories are result-oriented and make her readers become healthy, wealthy and wise.  

READ MOREDetails