In April, I wrote a blog about the courage it can take to start therapy. After over 25 years as a psychologist, I have discovered that most people noodle around with a problem for a few months before they finally call for a psychotherapy appointment. Some get it right the first time, while others are not sure that they and their therapist are a good fit. So I thought I would give you some guidelines to help you figure out if you are with the right person to help you solve your problems and grow personally. 
· Is your therapy designed for you? I tell my patients that I want to set goals with their input because I do not think therapy should be a trip without a roadmap. It can take two or three sessions to set those goals and we can always modify them as we go along, but the work we do should have a direction that meets your needs.
· Our work is something that we decide on together. Do they want to go faster or slower, work on the past or the present, or both? They should have all the input that they want.
· You may not see progress all the time, but over several sessions and certainly over weeks and months, you should see changes in behavior, feelings, and thoughts.
I like to give my patients tangible skills that they can take with them when they complete therapy. I think of it as their toolkit.
*Can they cope better when presented with repetitive situations that used anxiety?
*If you started therapy as a glass half-empty person, are you now closer to a glass half-full person?
* Have you learned to change dysfunctional thoughts and respond differently to tough situations?
*Are sad or lonely moods less prevalent and are you enjoying friends more? Have traumatic situations been dealt with?
Always feel free to ask your therapist questions about their approach to problems and the therapy methods they use. You should feel heard and know that your psychologist is listening to you by the questions that he/she asks.
Even after 25-plus years in practice, I and all psychologists, are required to take continuing education classes every year. We continue to learn new methods of treatment in many areas of specialization. I welcome your calls and any questions that you may have about my training.