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The concept of going to a mental health expert like a clinic psychologist or psychotherapist for regular counselling sessions is still a very rare one in India. Not many Indians are comfortable with the idea of approaching one because of the stigma attached to it. However, consulting a psychologist for dealing with certain issues you have been facing in your personal or even professional life can be highly beneficial in tackling depression and anxiety.
Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists can t prescribe medicines or antidepressants. Your psychologist will use talk therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to deal with your mental and emotional issues. While antidepressants can help in fighting against depression, only popping pills won t help in the long run. Not to mention, antidepressants can cause several side-effects.
Most people find psychologists through a friend, family member and even with the help of online research. If you ve been contemplating whether you should consult a psychologist, it is important to know what you should expect from your psychologist and whether you should continue with your current therapy sessions or not. These are the six qualities your clinical psychologist must possess and if not, it would be a good idea to find another one.
1. Trustworthiness
Many people shy away from consulting a mental health expert because they are worried about sharing their secrets and deep insecurities with a complete stranger. However, studies have found that people decide if someone is trustworthy or not within the first few seconds of meeting them. During your first appointment with your psychologist, be alert and observe. Do you get good vibes from him or her? Could you trust her and know that she will maintain confidentiality?
2. Strong interpersonal skills
A good psychologist should be an excellent listener. When you talk, she should be genuinely interested in what you have to say. Your psychologist should display acceptance and show compassion and empathy to be able to relate to you. If your psychologist looks bored or distracted while you are talking and is unable to communicate with you in a way that you understand, it is definitely time to look for another one.
3. Being up to date on research
As a layman, it might be difficult to figure out whether your psychologist stays up to date on the latest research and treatment techniques. So don t be afraid or too intimidated to upfront ask your psychologist about her qualifications and experience. Find out what she specialises in and ask how she plans on treating you. Ensure that they have a masters degree in Psychology from a reputed university. However, just because a psychologist has several degrees from the best universities, it does not guarantee he or she will be more effective. Do your research by reading journals and articles related to mental health so you come prepared for your appointments and know what to ask your psychologist beforehand.
4. They are not judgmental
It is essential that you feel safe and not attacked during your therapy sessions. Your psychologist should be unbiased and refrain from being judgmental or critical about your thoughts and feelings. A good psychologist maintains is objective and you shouldn t feel like you are trying to win his or her approval.
5. They discuss and explain the treatment with you
Remember that when it comes to any type of treatment, there is no one size fits all approach. Your psychologist should be flexible enough to make adjustments in your treatment as per each of their client s characteristics. Once your psychotherapist starts your treatment after the initial consultation, they should explain how it will be done and how it will help you. They should inspire you by maintaining a healthy dialogue.
6. They are open to feedback
They should be approachable enough for you to bring up your concerns regarding the treatment. You should be able to be open about what is and what is not working for you. If you feel like your psychologist is blindly following a set of rules to deal with your problems and brushes away your concerns, it is definitely not a good sign.
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