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Well-being therapy aims to improve the recovery rate of those with disorders such as anxiety and depression. It emerged in the late 1990s when Giovanni Fava, an Italian psychiatrist, set out to fill the relapse rate in patients treated with other forms of therapy like CBT by concentrating on recovery.
The therapy concentrates on the six dimensions of psychological wellness – self-acceptance, autonomy, personal growth, environmental mastery, life purpose, and positive relationships.
Nine Things to Look for in Therapy
WBT is essential for improving your general mental health. Therefore, research before deciding to ensure you can reach your goals.
1. When to Consider Therapy
When you feel unsure, confused, and overwhelmed, therapy can help you grow stronger. Please don’t get to a stage where you can’t take it anymore. The sooner you deal with depression, anxiety, and other issues, the faster you can heal.
Some signs that you may need a therapist include:
- Confusion
- Feeling uncertain, especially about yourself
- Avoiding seeing people or going places
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Agitation
- Low or hyper mood
- Always wanting to stay overly busy
2. Find the Right Therapist
For therapy to succeed, choose a therapist you feel comfortable with and who makes you feel supported. In plain terms, you must click with them.
Personality: Don’t forget that a therapist is not a friend, but you need to connect positively with them.
Trust: Feelings of trust allow you to discuss your innermost and scariest thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without feeling uncomfortable.
Authenticity: Look for honesty and genuineness – your therapist must exhibit knowledge but not a know-it-all attitude.
Positive regard: You don’t want your therapist to view you as dependent or broken, so look for one that considers you worthy of your values and ability to progress.
Positive communication: Your therapist must be able to warmly and openly communicate all aspects of your treatment.
Match your preferences and comfort level: You heal better when you feel connected and comfortable with your chosen therapist, especially regarding your identity, for example, as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, or Latinx.
3. Consider Professional Credentials and Specialty
Before deciding on a therapist, ask them about their professional credential and licensing to ensure they have the qualifications, experience, and competence.
4. Find Out the Cost
Don’t shy away from asking about the cost of the therapy and the length of the session times. Also, determine if your insurer covers all or part of it and approves the provider. You don’t want rising stress levels caused by financial worries, but weigh the long-term benefits to your mental well-being.
If you need more affordable therapy options or have no insurance coverage, look for practices offering lower rates because they employ student counselors, university counseling schools, or a community clinic.
5. Practical Considerations
A convenient location and scheduling flexibility are critical when selecting a therapist. It is easier to make therapy when your therapist accommodates your availability, and a convenient location makes it easier for you to attend WBT sessions. However, don’t let location make you settle for a therapist who makes you uncomfortable.
6. Is Online WBT Better?
Researchers have shown that online therapy is equally effective, so an absence of therapists in your area does not mean you should not have WBT. Online sessions with video chat are secure. If your therapist combines both in-office and online sessions, you can reap both benefits, opting for online sessions on busy days.
7. Consider a Therapist to Match Your Life Stage or Cultural Background
As mentioned earlier, your identity is essential when choosing a therapist. These considerations include age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and cultural background. For example, if you are older, a therapist specializing in senior therapy will have more knowledge of your issues than a child therapist.
8. Trust Your Instinct
Qualifications aren’t everything when looking for a well-being therapist. Trust your instinct; if uncomfortable, don’t let embarrassment or pressure stop you from seeking another therapist.
9. Therapy Should Meet Your Expectations
Therapists use different approaches, but the therapy structure has similarities. Expect the sessions to last about an hour once a week or more frequently in intense therapy. Usually, sessions occur at the therapist’s office, but they also work in hospitals and nursing homes. Some conduct home visits. If you don’t feel good with the healing process or therapist, look for another; therapy is about collaboration, and you shouldn’t feel alone.
Don’t forget that the healing process requires you to recall painful memories, and you may feel frustrated. Therefore, you must feel comfortable enough to express your thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, you should always feel like you are in a safe place; if you dread going back or feel overwhelmed, talk about it to your therapist.
3 Questions To Ask Your Therapist
Besides asking about their fees and cancellation policy, their qualifications, the type of therapy offered, and availability between sessions, here are three essential questions you should also ask:
1. What will therapy look like moving forward?
Once you have talked about their fees, cancellation policy, training, therapy techniques, and structure, discuss your therapy plan moving forward. Questions include frequency of sessions and progress reports as you advance, ensuring clarity on managing your expectations, time, and finances attached to your commitment.
2. Can you help me make some goals?
Therapists like to ask what brought you to therapy or what you want to achieve. So don’t feel bad if you can’t articulate an answer to these difficult questions or don’t have any goals. Instead, ask the therapist if they can help you set some goals.
3. What can I do in between sessions?
Working between therapy sessions can help you get the most out of WBT. Ask your therapist for valuable resources and homework to help you build coping strategies.
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