1. Therapist specialisms

If you are looking for a therapist to help with a specific mental health problem or struggle, such as depression or relationship issues, you could start by looking at therapists who specialise in that area. Therapists have in depth understanding and interest in their specialties and are likely to have experience in those areas.

You can easily check our therapists’ areas of specialisation through their profiles via the Marpe Wellbeing app.

2. Therapist age and gender

The age and gender of your potential therapist is a good factor of consideration when it comes to building a trusting bond with someone. You might find it easier to talk to someone of your own gender and age group, or you may prefer a therapist who is older and may give you a different perspective. Other demographics you may want to consider is their faith and culture for example – a therapist who is a Christian will be able to offer counselling taking into account Christian principles and faith. On the other hand, you may not have any preference at all, which is perfectly fine too.

3. Types of therapy and approach

There is a huge variety of therapies to choose from, which can be overwhelming at first. You might have noticed that most therapists are either counsellors, psychotherapists, or both.

In general, psychotherapy requires more skills from a therapist and focuses on gaining deeper insights into long-term issues. The most common types of psychotherapy include psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, client-centred therapy and integrative therapy.

To know more about the different types of psychotherapy approaches, head to Psychotherapy Approaches on how it works page.

On the other hand, counselling offers guidance for clients to manage and better cope with a short-term transition or adversity. Types of counsellors include marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation counsellors, grief counsellors and more.

Remember, building a trusting relationship between you and your therapist is vital for any type of therapy to work.

4. Initial consultation

If you are still unsure about which therapist to go for, you could simply go with your instincts. Head to ‘therapist profiles’ and see which therapist’s personal approach you like best. Book for an initial session to find out if you and your therapist connect.

It’s normal not to feel completely comfortable with your therapist in the beginning, as it takes time to build a trusting relationship with someone new. However, if you feel like you are not being listened to or you do not like your therapist’s approach, communicate with them. Your therapist could then develop a new approach that caters your needs, or they might recommend you a therapist that is more suitable.