Therapy is always a fun topic to talk about. It’s a mix of fear and hope, a battle between healing and continuing down the same path. When you decide to see a therapist, you’re ultimately deciding that hope has won. The chance of healing and feeling better outweighs the fear of vulnerability. Making the choice to see a therapist is one of the biggest of many hurdles in recovery.
The next one is finding a therapist. As someone who’s been in therapy on and off for the last half-decade, I can easily say that making sure you find the right therapist is of the utmost importance. You will not make progress if you are matched with a therapist that isn’t right for you. Of course, finding a therapist that works for you can be difficult. You won’t always find the perfect match on your first try. Sometimes you might, but other times, finding the right therapist will take multiple first sessions.
So, how do you find the right therapist?
Know your expectations.
Why are you going to therapy? What are you looking to get out of your sessions? Do you want someone to listen and help you unravel your thoughts, or do you want a direct plan of action? These are all questions you should know the answer to. It’s also important to know that a therapist cannot and will not diagnose you. That is not their job. If you are seeking a mental health diagnosis, you’ll need to speak to a psychologist or psychiatrist, which is a process you can do through your general practitioner.
Ask questions.
Your first session with a therapist is about getting to know them just as much as them getting to know you. Find out what they specialize in and what their sessions typically look like. Make sure it fits what you expect out of a session. I had one therapist who focused heavily on living a holistic lifestyle, something I’ve found in the past to not be plausible for myself. Continuing to see that therapist would not have helped me as my need for a therapist does not match the service they were providing. By asking questions, you can avoid wasting sessions and money on something that just will not work.
Trust your gut.
At the end of the day, your intuition is going to be your best friend. In just one session you will know whether or not a therapist is the right fit for you. That’s the beauty of having to be vulnerable, you’ll learn very quickly if you feel comfortable with them. If you’re even doubting your level of comfort, doubting if this therapist is the right fit for you, try a new one. The right therapist will make sure you’re comfortable from the get-go, and they’ll understand how far they can push you in terms of opening up. Trust your gut.
At the end of the day, finding the right therapist is a strenuous process. You could go through a handful and not find the right one or you might get lucky right off the bat. Ultimately, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t shop around.