Now more than ever, it is important to know what to look for when seeking a therapist for healthcare workers. We are seeing more healthcare workers seeking therapy services due to the overwhelming stress, burnout and vicarious trauma, they are currently experiencing with the influx of patients in healthcare settings. Read on for how to find the appropriate therapist for you so you can get a deep sense of understanding and coping tools that can best help you manage these current events in your life.
Therapist Experience
We often look at years of experience when looking to research a therapist. However, in this reference, I am referring to experience working with healthcare workers and in the healthcare setting. It is important to look around for a therapist that knows the ins and outs of what a healthcare setting looks like and the various healthcare roles within the system and how these each play a huge role in the type of work that each individual healthcare worker is responsible for and how that impacts each person differently. For example, a physician, a nurse, a physical therapist, or administrator can all work in the same hospital system, but be impacted differently depending on their role.
Therapist Treatment Modalities
Asking questions as to what forms of therapeutic modalities does the therapist offer can help you identify if they will be the right fit for you. Depending on the struggle you are facing, a certain type of modality might be best for you to experience the greatest results. Some therapy modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness based therapy, solution focused therapy, etc. It is good to ask questions about this and determine what would be best for you.
Free Consultation for Healthcare Workers
Seeking a therapist takes time and may involve you having to research and talk to a few therapist before you decide which therapist may be the right fit for you. Therefore it is important to ask if the therapist offers a free consultation or a discounted rate on a consultation. You will find that most therapists understand the importance of seeking the right fit for you and will offer this form of consultation. This information will most likely be indicated on their website or you can simply ask them when contacting them.
Online Therapy Services for Healthcare Workers
Navigating healthcare shifts and rotations can make it difficult to see a therapist in person and in normal business hours. Inquire with the therapist as to their provision of after-hours and online therapy capabilities to reduce the time in having to commute and make it more feasible for you to obtain services based on your shift schedule.
Therapist Understanding and Empathy
Finally, empathy and understating is key. As you research a therapist, ensure you feel understood. An empathetic relationship between you and your therapist provides for better outcomes. If you find that you are not connecting with the therapist of choice, don’t give up. Simply, be honest and discuss these issues with your therapist and ask for referrals from your therapists, colleagues, or you can go onto therapist finder websites such as Therapy Den.
If you have more questions or would like to know more about me and how I work with healthcare workers, schedule your free online consultation today.
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