Finding The Therapist For You

I understand that finding the right therapist for you can sometimes feel like a daunting task, however when you find the right one for you, it’s makes the work of searching all worth it! The location of a therapist, the cost, their education, type of license, etc may be important for you; however one the most key things to finding a therapist for you relationship. Finding a therapist for you should include trust, connectivity, and a therapeutic approach that resonates with you, but also encourage you to heal and grow.

Life continues to have its ups and downs. Things change, people change, and so do we. Although change is inevitable it doesn’t always mean we’re ready for it. Change may come with questions, feelings of anxiety, sadness, uncertainty, excitement, or you may even feel overwhelmed. The good news is that you don’t have to go through it alone. Speaking with trustworthy friends and family is important. However, at times we also need an objective individual to help us sort through. Finding a therapist can be intimidating, scary, and anxiety-provoking. I want to provide you with a few tips on how to make that process a little less frightening.

1.) Ask Around:

Just as we ask our friends, family, and co-workers for referrals for a hairstylist, mechanic, dentist, doctor, etc we can also ask them for a therapist referral. Our friends and/or family may or may not have referrals for us, but that may know someone that can point us in the right direction. Asking for help can be one of the strongest things we do for ourselves! Asking for help is our superpower. There is power in healing and in seeking help from a professional to get you to your desired goals in life personally and/or professionally.

2.) Search The Internet:

The Internet is a great place to search for a therapist. There are many sites that hosts therapists in your area that are ready to help you! A healthy you start with you making the decision to find your therapist. Google search is a good place to start. You can also check out websites such as: Therapy For Black Girls, Therapy For Black Men, Melanin & Mental Health, Therapy For Latinx, Psychology Today, Counseling California, Yelp, Good Therapy, Network Therapy, etc as on-line resources for your search in finding a therapist that best fits your needs.

3.) Interview The Therapist:

Once you find a few therapists that you want to connect with take a look at their website and get to know a little about them. Most therapists offer a FREE Initial Consultation to get to know a little about you and you get to know a little about them. Most therapists offer this service over the phone, however some therapists may offer a free in-person and/or virtual Initial Consultation. Use this time to ask questions, share a little about why you’re seeking a therapists, and get a feel for if you can connect with this person. Do your best to be honest in this call; as this may be the start of your therapeutic relationship with your new therapist. I recommend that you write your questions down, so that you can make the most of your Free Initial Consultation because they are time-limited.

4.) Trust Your Instincts:

Once you read your potential therapist’s website and speak with them on the phone you have to decide if you feel comfortable. Is this someone you feel you can learn to trust with the matters of your heart. Can this person hold space for your deepest thoughts & feelings and even the things you’ve never shared with anyone else? Can this person walk along-side you in this journey of this chapter of your life. Trust your instincts and go with what feels right for you. In most cases, you will know within or by the end of the Initial Consultation if that therapist is the right fit for you.

Finding a good therapist that you feel comfortable with isn’t always easy, however when you find him/her you will know. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and make the first phone call. Help is waiting on the other side of that line. Best wishes to you and may you find the therapist that best fits your needs! Blessings to you and your personal journey to healing and growing. Please reach out to me if you have additional questions and/or if there’s a way I can help you along your way.