Summarize what one should look for in a prospective therapist and what one should expect out of therapy

What will be an ideal response?

Therapeutic services are available in many settings and need not be expensive. Contrary to popular belief, most therapists are not in private practice. There are a variety of "helping professions" available: psychologists who provide psychotherapy may have degrees in clinical or counseling psychology, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and everyday behavioral problems. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. They are, at present, the only psychotherapy administering profession to be able to prescribe drugs, although psychologists are lobbying for prescription rights. Clinical social workers generally have a master's degree and provide a wide range of therapeutic services. Counselors typically have a master's degree and often specialize in specific areas, such as vocational or drug counseling.

To find out what your community has to offer, it is a good idea to consult with friends, the phone book, the Internet, or the local community mental health center. Researchers have not found any reliable associations between therapists' type of degree, professional background, or theoretical orientation and therapeutic efficacy, so the kind of degree that a therapist holds doesn't need to be a critical consideration in the selection. The therapist's gender also does not seem to influence efficacy, so it only is important if the client feels uncomfortable with a therapist of a specific sex.

Therapy does not progress rapidly; it is usually a slow process and is hard work. The therapist is only the facilitator and ultimately the client must confront the challenges, which may not be pleasant.