Therapist's GREEN flags

[mary_poppins]

Hi, anyone here knows of any green flags to look for in a therapist? I have been in therapy before and many were not good. They tried to help but didn't have enough training in trauma/complex trauma.

From your experience, what are the signs to look for in a good therapist?

Also, did you meet with the T in person to have a full-on session with them? or have a quick call to see what they're like?

Thanks

[Rebel13]

Hi mary_poppins, I find green flags hard to define -- maybe I think of them as more like the opposite of my red flags?  It helped me that I knew pretty strongly what I DIDN'T want. I didn't want someone younger than me. I wanted someone who specified they understood and worked with trauma. I wanted someone who wasn't too woo.   But also not too clinical or attached to particular treatment frameworks.

I'm sure your list is different.

My therapist offered a free initial consultation online. (She only works virtually.) I thought hard and wrote out three questions that covered my most important concerns. She did pretty well, obviously. She might be a little woo-er than me, but she's pretty careful about making suggestions and never makes me feel I've messed up if I choose not to follow them.

I hope you get lucky and find someone who's a good match.

[mary_poppins]

Hi Rebel 13.

Those are good tips, thanks so much. I will need to schedule free consultations with Ts.
I had one, btw but the T seemed a little off and didn't make me feel good. I had a feeling she would be
difficult to connect with.