There are many different approaches to therapy and unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules to help an individual know which approach will work best for them. When it comes to choosing a therapist, your best indicator for what’s right for you is you. I usually suggest interviewing several therapists — by phone and/or in person — paying attention to how you feel about the person when you’re talking to them. Ask questions about how the therpist views therapy in general and your issues particular. If you already have an idea about what you’re looking for in a therapist, tell them what you want and ask if that’s something they feel suited for.

Unless it’s a concern for insurance reasons, don’t worry too much about whether the therapist has a master’s degree, Ph.D., or M.D. I’ve known excellent and not-so-excellent therapists at all levels of training. Although having training in therapy is definitely important, most training programs at all three levels should be adequate and beyond that, it’s the person that matters — not the degree.