What are some things I should consider as I make the decision to start therapy?

It’s probably taken you a lot of thought to search for a therapist. Finding someone who is a good fit is incredibly important, as the therapeutic bond can develop into a relationship of great significance.  As you look to start therapy it may be important to ask yourself: 

• What are my preferences in a therapist?  Do age, race and gender matter to me? Do I want a therapist with a certain number of years of experience? Does location matter?  Am I okay with telehealth?

• What would I want to work on during therapy?

• How much am I able to invest in therapy when it comes to monetary cost and personal time?

• Are there any barriers that prevent me from fully participating in therapy at this time?

I’m used to dealing with problems on my own. Can therapy really help me?

You’ve done the important work of getting yourself to right now, which may have required you to adopt a stiff upper lip, push feelings down, avoid painful things, and/or adopt a steel clad armor. However, having a therapist, who is a good fit, could mean that you’re not in it by yourself anymore. It could mean that you can let your guard down to confront your problems with someone who supports you. Therapy may help you to adopt new strategies for positive change, gain insight into your motivations, manage emotions effectively, and increase self-confidence.

What is therapy like?

I often describe therapy as the time you get each week to focus solely on you and what’s going on in your life. For many of us, it seems rare to have someone who will not only actively listen to our problems, but do so with acceptance, non-judgement, insight and compassion. This is one reason why the therapeutic relationship is so important, as the degree to which you are able to open up about your problems depends on your trust in the person sitting across from you. Therapy typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour each session, and during that time you will process aspects of your life that are causing disharmony, while the therapist provides insights and strategies for change, among other things. 

I’ve seen a therapist(s) in the past. Does it make sense for me to begin seeing someone again?

Resuming therapy may make sense for you if you:

• Have residual issues that have resurfaced since the last time you were in therapy.

• Have had new challenges come up that you need help processing and understanding.

• Want to experience a new take on your healing, or a different treatment modality.

What’s the difference between a therapist and psychologist and psychiatrist?

A therapist typically has a master’s degree and graduate level or clinical licensure. You might see letters after their names indicating his/her level of experience, such as LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), or LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). They typically provide talk therapy to their clients. Psychologists are also clinically licensed and provide talk therapy. However, they also provide  psychological testing for individuals, schools, courts, etc. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that limit talk therapy and generally provide medication management, although some provide both.