5 Tricks for Finding the Right Therapist for You
It can be hard to make the decision to get the professional help that you deserve. And, not just because it’s freakin’ hard to ask for help, but also because it can seem hard and challenging to get the help that truly feels right and aligns with you and your needs. These are some really key things to keep in mind when you begin to embark on your journey of finding a therapist.
Know your needs: You’ll want to find a therapist that is well versed in working with clients that have experienced things similarly to you. You are also going to want to know your price range, if you need someone who accepts insurance or if you’ll be able to pay out of pocket. Lastly, know what times you are available to meet. If you can find someone that matches your most easily available times you’ll be way more likely to show up consistently.
Consider who you might feel most comfortable with: The age, gender, sexuality, spirituality, race, and experience of your therapist are all things that should be taken into consideration. You have the right to feel completely comfortable with your provider. Additionally, the relationship that you have with your therapist is going to be pivotal and become a big part of the progress you find yourself making in every session. So, you need to ensure they are someone isn’t judging you and that you can comfortably open up to.
Get referrals: Ask people you trust; family, friends, medical providers, co-workers, or whoever might be able to tell you the names of therapists or practices that they trust and have had good experiences with. This is a great jumping off point. Even if those therapists don’t have current availability, they should be able to refer you to someone they would trust based on what you are looking to work on. Then the referrals can keep coming in and hopefully get you pointed in a strong direction.
Ask questions: Your prospective therapists are going to be asking you questions, but you have the right to ask them questions right back. And, you can do this before starting your first session, during a consultation call or through email. You are essentially interviewing them for the job of being your therapist. And, if you are looking for a list of questions to ask your therapist, you can find some here.
Shop around: Don’t just settle for the first one you come across or meet with. And, definitely don’t give up if the first few therapists miss the mark. It might take time and a trial period to find the right one for you.
Lastly, keep in mind that as you change and evolve, so will your needs. So, it is totally okay if you recognize that someone used to be a great fit for you and just isn’t anymore.
If you are looking for a therapist in the state of Georgia or the Atlanta area, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
