Is Therapy for me?

As a therapist, I often have friends and family members ask me if I think they need therapy. Though I think they are hoping I will say you?!- no way…I almost always respond with a resounding yes! as I honestly believe that anyone and everyone can benefit from therapy…with the right therapist, of course. Therapy is a tool to get to know yourself on a new and deeper level than simply venting to a friend about mental health issues, trauma, interpersonal concerns, etc. If you are considering seeing a therapist for the first, second or 10th time in your life, here are some questions to ask yourself before deciding:

1.      Do I feel unfulfilled in some area of my life (career, family, relationships, etc)

2.      Do I feel out of balance? Have difficulty creating healthy boundaries with myself or others?

3.      Do I feel sad/lonely/anxious/frustrated and have difficulty navigating how to handle these feelings?

4.      Has someone suggested that I would benefit from seeing a therapist- whether that be a health professional, friend, family member or coworker or someone else that I trust?

5.     Have I experienced some kind of trauma (in big or small ways), either recently or as a child that continue to come up in different areas of my life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is likely that therapy could be a healthy addition to your life. We ALL have struggles and experience things in life that are difficult. Having a therapist that you trust can be a great way to add value, growth and positive change to your life. Finding a good fit can be tricky and often takes a few tries. If you are in the market for a therapist, asking for a short consultation to see if working together is a good fit or not is something that many therapists offer. Here are some great questions to ask during that brief “interview” that can be helpful in assessing fit:

1.      What framework/tools/treatment styles do you utilize with your clients?

2.      How will I know if therapy is “working” for me?

3.      Have you worked with clients that are experiencing similar concerns to mine?

4.      Will things get worse before they get better?

5.      How long/frequently should I expect to work with you?

6.      Do you accept my insurance and do our schedules match up?

Similar to a job interview, a consultation prior to beginning therapy is a time for both the potential client and the potential therapist to assess whether or not working together is likely going to be a good fit. A therapist’s responsibility is to hear what the client is seeking therapy for and to evaluate whether or not they are competent to work with that person(s), and provide appropriate referrals if they are not a good fit. A clients responsibility is to get a feel for whether or not the potential therapist is likely to be someone whom they will have rapport with, trust and feel comfortable opening up to. Though a consult won’t always ensure that it’s a great match, it definitely increases the odds of things working out and helping both the client and therapist feel acquainted prior to the initial session. To learn more about my services, reach to see if we are a good match 😊