How the Right Therapist Can Make or Break Your Therapy Outcomes

“Hey Eb, can you suggest a good therapist for my friend?”

It's a question I get often, and it always brings a sense of urgency and responsibility. I want to suggest someone I truly understand, both professionally and personally. However, I quickly realized that many of the incredible therapists I had gotten to know had their books closed and had their waitlists building up by the day. So what happens to those people who can't quite find someone that is truly right for them? Will they be deterred from therapy? Will they find the process too difficult and decide to put their mental health aside? This never sat right with me.

During my undergraduate and master's studies, I was fortunate enough to work in private practices in administrative and management roles. This allowed me to understand the intricate workings of my colleagues and take a deep dive in developing new processes for matching clients with the right-fit therapists. I spent time having meetings with these therapists to understand their therapeutic styles and getting to know them on a personal level. Matching people with the right therapist became an incredibly important process that I felt deeply passionate about and ingrained in my personal and professional values.

The challenge of starting therapy

Starting therapy is already a daunting process. Opening up, being vulnerable—finding someone you can comfortably let your walls down with is a hugely important factor when considering mental health outcomes. Imagine trying to share your deepest thoughts with someone you don't connect with—it's not just uncomfortable; it can be counterproductive.

Research says…

• A personality match is key

  Did you know that compatibility in personality traits is the most critical factor for successful matches between clients and therapists? Research highlights conscientiousness and neuroticism as key predictors of how well you will connect with your therapist. This alignment not only enhances communication but also significantly improves the effectiveness of your therapy sessions (Bucher, Suzuki, & Samuel, 2019).
  
  

• A therapy match starts you on the right foot

  Knowing that you’ve been carefully matched with your therapist provides a psychological boost right from the start. Just by going through the matching process, you have already enhanced your openness and commitment to the process, paving the way for better therapeutic outcomes (Kivlighan & Marmarosh, 2018).
  
  

• When It clicks, it sticks

  The right match means more than just good vibes. It leads to deeper engagement, more persistent therapy attendance, and enhanced outcomes. Clients are more likely to stick with therapy when they feel a good connection with their therapist (Pérez-Rojas, Gelso, & Hatcher, 2021).
  
  

• Therapists benefit too

  When therapists work with clients they connect with, they can better tailor their approaches and interventions. This not only makes therapy more effective but also more rewarding for the therapist, enhancing the quality of care provided (Levy et al., 2018).

This evidence highlights the critical role of finding the right therapist to improve overall therapy experiences and outcomes.

That’s why we want you to get ‘InPsync’ with your therapist

This research validates the approach we've taken at InPsync. By considering factors that truly go beyond the basics, such as personality traits, attachment styles, and therapeutic approaches, we aim to create matches that foster strong therapeutic alliances. 

Our goal is to make therapy more accessible and effective by ensuring that individuals find therapists they can truly connect with.

Join us on this journey

As a Counsellor I am deeply passionate about mental health, I recognise just how important these connections are.

At InPsync, we understand that there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to therapy. 

So, here we are - Are you ready to get InPsync?

Coming soon.