Written by: Caitlin Alfonso, LMSW
We often hear about red flags and green flags when discussing healthy relationships in the concepts of dating or even friendship. However, we don’t often hear them regarding therapists. The reality is that when picking a therapist, you agree to enter a professional relationship with them. As a result, selecting a therapist for yourself can feel hard. However, there are signs to look for that can help you decide if you are a good fit for each other. Here are just a few examples of some green and red flags to look for when working with your therapist.
Green Flags
- You leave feeling empowered and heard – over time, you see progress towards goals
- They actively listen to you, show interest, and provide feedback that you understand
- They challenge you in a way that makes you think, but that does not feel unsafe or unkind
- They ask you what is important to you and what you want to work on during the time together
Red Flags
- You leave feeling judged, and you don’t feel like you can talk about your true feelings during sessions
- The therapist compares your experiences to their own
- They tell you what to do by saying comments like “You should…”, or “If I were you, …” etc.
- They often cancel your appointments or reschedule you
At the end of the day, settling into therapy may take some time. One session with a therapist is often not enough time to get a true sense of each other. However, if you are progressing throughout treatment and your intuition is telling you something is off – trust your gut and seek out another professional.