Here’s How to Find a Therapist That’s Right For You

Apr 15

Now is a great time to find the right therapist

Therapy has become even more accessible thanks to the increased availability of online talk therapy practices. Online therapy and medical care are not new but during the pandemic in 2022 more therapy providers and people became open to using online platforms for care. The pandemic challenged the way that people thought about everything including work, socializing, and receiving care and people are still adjusting to a different way of doing things in their lives. We have provided online talk therapy since 2019 throughout Westchester county and NY State before the pandemic because it allows people to have greater freedom of choice in who they work with and access to their care. But if you are new to therapy you might have some questions about how it works.

Busting the myths about therapy

There are a lot of inaccuracies and stigmas related to people seeking therapy. Historically black women, indigenous persons, and people of color (BIPOC) people have been underserved or poorly serviced by healthcare. There can be hesitations as well due to stigmas about what it means to need therapy. Fortunately, more people are having open and honest dialogues about mental health which is one way to learn the truth and get rid of the myths. Many BIPOC therapists like Raven Waterman, LCSW-R Psychotherapist, are committed to normalizing and promoting mental wellness and emotional self-care. Ideas like 1. it costs too much 2. it’s only for certain people 3. it must mean you’re crazy… can keep you from getting help. Black women like Oprah, Rihanna, and Taraji P. Henson have used their platform to talk about their own traumas and mental health journey openly. Nonprofit organizations like NAMI provide valuable information about mental health. There are also online therapist-led therapeutic and peer-led support groups where people can share their own personal experiences related to mental health.

Taking the next step to finding therapy

Even with more people talking about mental health and sharing their experiences, it can still be hard to know how to find a therapist that is the right fit for you. Just like a pair of shoes, therapy is not one size fits all. This means that the right therapist is out there for you, but you may want to do a little shopping around to find them. More therapists are entering the online talk therapy practice space, which will give you access to more providers to choose from. If working with a culturally competent, socially aware, and/or LGBTQIA allied therapist is important to you, you will have more options to find that person. There are also companies like Better Help that offer services through texting. However, working with a dedicated licensed therapist face to face or virtually online allows you to build a professional relationship with someone who gets to know you and can help you achieve your personal life goals. You can find a therapist by searching online, for therapy and therapists that are near you, get referrals from your medical doctor, friends, or peers and you can also look on listing sites. If you have insurance their website will also list providers who take your insurance. It’s important to remember that every person’s journey and experience will be different but that you don’t have to go through it alone.

How can therapy help?

The answer to that is going to be really different for each person. Everyone has their own unique life experiences and reasons they could benefit from working with a therapist. Some common reasons to seek therapy can be to address symptoms of anxiety, depression, work-related stress, interpersonal struggles, and past or present traumatic experiences. Therapy can provide a place to talk about what you are going through and find better ways of coping. A therapist is someone who is neutral, has a license, and is trained to support you. Working with a therapist can be an important part of building emotional self-care, self-esteem, and healthy interpersonal relationships.

Before contacting a therapist, here are some questions to ask yourself:

What would you like to work on in therapy?
What characteristics in a therapist would make you feel the most comfortable?
Would you rather talk to a person individually, with your partner, or would you rather be a part of a group?
If you were in therapy before, what did you like and what didn’t you like?
Do you have insurance that might cover some/all of the cost or will you cover the cost (out of pocket)?

What should you ask a therapist?

Many therapists have listings and some have their own websites where you can find information about what type of therapist they are, how long they’ve been practicing, and what types of issues they typically can help with. The profile may tell you what they charge for each session if they accept insurance or cash only and how to reach them. No matter how you are going about finding someone, try to speak to at least 3 therapists. We can provide a free 15-minute consultation if you have questions before scheduling a session.

If you are setting up a consultation here are some questions you may want to ask:

How do they approach working with people?
Who do they typically work with, and do they have any special training or techniques they use? If they have special training or techniques, it’s also okay to ask them to explain them to you.
Do they give homework, worksheets, or other types of assignments throughout the process?
What are some of their expectations or policies (cancellations, rescheduling…)

Distance doesn’t have to stop you from starting therapy

Most people think therapy only happens face to face and in an office. But virtual online therapy has been around for a long time and is just as effective. We use a confidential and secure easy-to-use platform that allows for flexible space to support you. Sessions can still be individual, but couples, family, and group sessions can all be done virtually online. You can access your sessions on your phone, tablet, or laptop as long as you have wifi and/or cellular data and a private, comfortable space to use. Virtual therapy will still allow you to see the therapist live just like in an office.

Finding the right therapist can be an important part of your self-care routine

It’s a good time to consider working with a therapist as part of your emotional self-care routine. Therapy is more accessible thanks to the increase in online talk therapy practices. Working with a therapist can help you address past issues and support behavioral changes that lead to increased happiness. Take the time to find a therapist that you feel comfortable working with and who can help you work on your emotional health and wellness. If you want to discuss how we might be able to support you complete our contact form here.