How to Find the Right Therapist: What Research Says Actually Matters
Starting therapy can feel overwhelming. Many people wonder:
How do I find the right therapist?
Does the type of therapy matter?
What if I pick the wrong one?
You might see terms like EMDR, CBT, or IFS and wonder which approach is “best.” While finding a therapist whose approach aligns with your goals is important, research consistently shows that the therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive therapy outcomes, regardless of the specific therapy used.
Let’s break down why.
EMDR Therapy for Anxiety: How It Works and Who It Helps
It’s likely you’ve heard of EMDR before, even if you don’t know exactly what it is. And if you have heard of it, odds are you’ve heard it’s commonly used for processing trauma.
Whether you’ve heard about it or not, EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a highly effective form of therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (eye movements, tapping, tones, etc.) to process difficult memories and change the way they are stored in the brain in order to reduce distress.
Side note: I know it’s a bit odd that moving your eyes back and forth can help with something like this. I was skeptical myself before I went through the training and saw how effective EMDR can be. (You can dive into the research here and learn more about EMDR here.)