Do you have reservations about your present therapist? Think about these red flags and warning indicators that suggest you might benefit from seeing a different therapist.

Beware of these challenges with your current therapist:

1. Concerns about degrees and licenses. Have you looked up your therapist’s credentials and experience?  

A therapist who presents themselves with fictitious degrees or licensure may pose a risk.

It’s vital to look into any concerns you may have about your therapist not fulfilling the requirements.

2. Concerns about privacy and confidentiality. Your sessions should be kept private by your therapist. Have you found out that your therapist is disclosing personal information to third parties?

• Privacy concerns are a serious red flag.

3. Criticism and judgment. You shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed expressing your personal struggles in front of a therapist. It’s time to look for alternative assistance if your therapist is making negative comments about you and hurting your feelings.

• It is never appropriate for therapists to treat you like an inferior or inadequate person.

• It should be easy for you to talk about your aspirations, past, and present without fear of being judged.

4. Unsuitable interpersonal connections. Is your therapist attempting to establish a romantic or personal rapport with you? Relationships of this nature are improper and may result in long-term psychological harm.

5. Not having any conversations. Counselors are meant to support you in managing your problems and resolving them.

In addition to listening to you, your therapist need also be giving you guidance. Having a one-sided conversation won’t solve your problems.

6. Excessive chatting. You should also be wary of a counselor who refuses to let you talk during sessions; there may be someone else who would be more helpful.

• It ought to be possible for you to express your ideas and experiences.

Furthermore, your counselor need to be able to communicate with you in a way that is understandable to you, without utilizing medical jargon or complex terminology. They shouldn’t have you conduct further research in order for you to understand what they were saying.

7. Problems with intrusiveness. Do all of your decisions get made for you by your therapist? Without assuming control over your life, a skilled therapist may assist you in directing your thoughts toward sensible choices. 

8. Ceasing to remember. Does your counselor constantly forget who you are?

Recall that a therapist could work with a variety of cases and clients. But before your sessions, they ought to be going over your file and, at the very least, know who you are.

Seeking a different counselor might be necessary if your therapist is unable to recall important details from past sessions.

9. Exceeding limitations. Are your limits respected by your therapist? Counselors should value the needs and respect of their clients. There’s a thin line separating pushing you to share details of your struggles from pressuring you to share details you’d rather keep secret.

10. Issues with appointments. Do you find it difficult to meet with your counselor on a regular basis?

• Does your therapist frequently postpone or cancel appointments?

• Do they neglect you and concentrate on other things during the appointment?

• Are you sick and weary of waiting for your therapist to call you in for an appointment for hours on end?

You might want to think about seeing a different therapist if you’re having trouble with your current one. You might not benefit as much from your therapy as you could from these problems.