Do I Really Need A Therapist?
Let’s Choose You Today.
Therapy? Am I really to that point? Damn, is it that bad? Am I crazy…blowing this out of proportion?
Regardless of the narratives that have led you to seek therapy, you’re here. That means you woke up today and chose yourself. Now that you’ve taken the first step, let’s discuss ways to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Honestly, choosing a therapist after reading 1,001 profiles can start to feel overwhelming and exhausting. I hear you through the screen; so what am I supposed to do? Sometimes finding a therapist is trial and error. It’s okay if the first, second, and maybe third therapist doesn't “work out.” Unfortunately, we can’t tell everything through a clinician’s bio. However, I hope that the tips I’ll offer you will help you feel more confident in your ability to find a therapist who is an overall good collective fit.
Notice I said “collective fit,” meaning there are things you should consider with the person you’ll start this journey with. The consideration process isn’t just one-sided. You don’t have to show up knowing all aspects of yourself, however, it helps to consider some of your “stuck” areas. Starting with this level of insight allows you to pinpoint whether the clinician you’re considering can meet your needs. Think of it this way, you’ve been hungry all day and finally you see a sign that says “food inside”, only to get inside and see they only sell chips. Could the chips sustain you, sure, but for how long? The same can be said about settling for any therapist.
Where Do I Look
We’re living in a time where information is readily accessible at our fingertips. A single Google search for “therapist in my area” can yield a variety of individual therapists and therapy directories. For those new to therapy, utilizing directories can be helpful, as many offer filters that allow you to narrow down specifications for potential therapists you’d like to work with. While there are many directories, here are a few to kick-start your therapy recon.
I Think I Found The One
Finding a potential therapist to work with can feel both exciting and anxiety-inducing. Usually fueled by internalized thoughts such as: “What will they think of me?”; “What if I don’t know what to say?”; and many more. Thoughts such as these are all common. Believe it or not, as a therapist, I have similar experiences. AKA, we’re all having a human experience. For this reason, I offer potential clients a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to help decrease some of the uncertainty.
Phone consultations allow you to ask questions and assess the therapeutic fit in real time. While we can’t tell everything from a profile, the same can be said about a phone call. Nonetheless, here are a couple of questions to consider when determining if a potential therapist is a fit.
Specialties - does this therapist have experience with my specific issue?
Therapy approach - what therapeutic approach will be used, and does it resonate with me?
Connection - does the therapist offer consults to assess your connection and comfort with them?
Location - do they offer in-person sessions or telehealth alternatives?
Fee structure - does the therapist offer private pay? Do they accept my insurance or have a sliding scale fee option?
Availability - does your schedule align with the therapist’s availability to promote consistency and support?
It should be stated that not all therapists offer phone consultations. You can check a clinicians websites or email them directly to confirm this offering.
You Have The Power Of Choice
Finding a therapist takes a lot of executive functioning. So much so, the thought of repeating the process can feel daunting. However, if a therapeutic relationship isn’t a fit, you have the power of choice. A therapist will respect your decision without judgment. Remember, the process of finding an ideal therapist is different for everyone. So, “if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.”