Are You Ready For Therapy?
So, you are thinking about starting your therapy journey? That is a big deal and I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to decide to commit to an experience (i.e., therapy) in which you can grow, heal, learn, rejuvenate, unplug, release, and so much more. I know this commitment to enhancing your wellness can be accompanied by worry, doubt, or apprehension. I often get questions from friends, family, and even prospective clients that convey these emotions and concerns. Common questions include, “What if my personality is not compatible with the therapist?”, “How will I know if my therapist and I are a good fit?”, “Will therapy work for me?”, “Is it okay to seek out a therapist who looks like me?” It is completely natural to have questions along with a mixed bag of emotions when beginning your therapy journey. I want to help ease the nerves by providing tips to help you as you begin with therapy. These tips are non- exhaustive and are informed by my personal and clinical experience.
Tip #1. Determine your preferences.
Knowing your preferences can help you find a therapist that meets your needs for the current season of life you are in. Examples of preferences:
In person therapy or telehealth therapy. Would you like to meet with a therapist in person or via telehealth which is a virtual platform for participating in therapy.
Insurance or self-pay. Do you want to use insurance to pay for therapy services or would you like to pay out of pocket. I know insurance seems like the obvious logical choice but there are also benefits to self-pay. Our practice discusses the benefits on the FAQ page of our website.
Therapists with specific expertise or experience. Finding a therapist that specializes in an area you want help in can be useful in determining fit. You can filter your search based on your needs. For example, if you are wanting to address anxiety, you may choose to look for a therapist that has experience with treating anxiety. Or if you want help navigating life transitions, you want to identify therapists that advertise life transitions within their clinical focus, specialty, or certifications.
Therapists that share similar characteristics (e.g., gender, ethnicity, religion, etc.). Therapist-client bond is important for therapeutic growth. Deciding if you want a therapist with similar characteristics as you can help enhance your level of comfort, sometime not always, as you begin connecting with a therapist.
Weekday or weekend availability. You can also use availability as a determinant in your search for a therapist. You want to schedule therapy for a time that you can commit to and be consistent with.
Tip #2. Be diligent in your search for a therapist.
Take time to browse therapists’ or agencies’/practices’ websites and profiles to learn more about them. Therapists’ websites, professional business pages, and business social media accounts can be a great way to obtain knowledge about the therapist.
Tip #3. Complete consultations with prospective therapists.
This is the time where you can ask questions and engage in dialogue, with therapists of interest, to learn who they are as a therapist. Based on the consultations you can gauge whether a therapist initially seems like a good fit or not. Example questions could be:
What is their approach to therapy?
Do they have any specialties?
What is their experience working with what you are wanting help with (e.g., anxiety, trauma, life transitions, etc.)?
What happens after the consultation?
What does structure of sessions look like?
Tip #4. Create sources of empowerment to remind you of why you are starting this process.
Angst is natural, but do not let it inhibit you from following through on your decision to participate in therapy. Sources of empowerment could be visual reminders in your journal, on your phone or laptop, on your desk or nightstand, on your calendar, or on your mirror that affirm you in choosing yourself and prioritizing your wellness. You could also be empowered through an accountability partner who will encourage you and follow up with you about pursuing therapy. If you choose to get an accountability partner, ensure it is someone you trust and who is there to support you.
Tip #5. Be ready for the change.
Therapy is structured to help you change in some way, whether it is change in your perspective, relationships, reactions, or behaviors. However, you must be ready and willing to change for you to experience the benefits of therapy. Throughout this blog post, I have referred to therapy as a journey. The reason I refer to therapy as a journey is because it is not a linear path. You will find that there are ebbs and flows which require you to learn about yourself, make intentional choices, and practice self-compassion as you work towards personal growth.
I hope you find this list of tips to be helpful. I firmly believe in you advocating for what you need so you can find appropriate resources to assist you in experiencing wholeness and wellness. Know that we as therapists at FullScope Counseling Services are excited about your decision to embark upon therapy and we would be thrilled to support you on your journey!
If you’d like to contact me or another therapist here at Full Scope Counseling, you’re most welcome to!
-Dr. Shar’Dane
