Blog

Need A Therapist?

New to the idea of therapy and have no clue where to start? This blog is for you!

Sometimes we may know that we need to go to therapy but have no clue of where to start. Start with finding a quality mental health professional. There are therapists (LCSW/Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and counselors (LPC/Licensed Professional Counselor) out there that can meet your needs. What do I do next you ask? Continue to read along to learn things you should consider when looking for a therapist.

Keep it real with you

You definitely want to find a therapist that is honest. There isn’t much that is worse than trusting someone with intimate details that is dishonest. They should be professional but relatable, in that they can put themselves in your shoes to help guide you through your therapeutic process.

Are lifelong learners in their field

The mental health world is one that is constantly changing. There are new ways to treat various diagnoses, as well as new ways to conceptualize diagnoses. It should be clear that the therapist you are considering continuously seeks knowledge in their own field. This will show, as they will be confident in their own knowledge and skills.

Doesn’t raise communication too high

In other words, they should be able to clearly communicate to you. Your therapist should explain your symptoms in a way that you understand. If you are a visual learner, they should be able to paint a picture for you with their words for example. In addition they should be able to explain medical or mental health terminology to you in a digestible manner. You should not be left in the dark about your own care due to their inability to break things down for you. Ultimately they should have your best interests at heart on all fronts.

Won’t take over your session talking about themselves

You may come to find that you have a bit in common with your chosen therapist. They may pull from past experiences with other clients, friends, family members, or even themselves to assist you through your circumstances. Keep an eye out for the therapist that hijacks your therapy session. After all you paid for your own healing and not theirs.

Understand you and your culture

One of the major reasons I hear that therapy doesn’t work for someone is that they felt their therapist could not understand them. If a therapist is not well versed with your culture, religion, gender, spiritual beliefs, etc., they will have a hard time connecting with you; and you will have a hard time opening up to them. In building a relationship with you, they need to be able to meet you were you are on all fronts.