Therapist: And what do we say when we’re sad?
Me: Less depressy more progressy.
Therapist: No.
Chances are if you are on social media you have seen a meme like this on your feed. While therapy has made its way into the world of social media via memes and Instagram, it can feel daunting to actually begin the process of starting therapy. You are considering sharing personal information with someone you don’t know and inviting that person into your life, it is okay that it feels big. Here at Arise, we want to help those looking for a therapist and offer some tips when searching for the right therapist for you!
You Can Start with Psychology Today if You Don't Know Where to Begin
This resource allows you to search for therapists in your area and add filters
The filters provided include: Issues, Insurance, Gender, Types of Therapy, Age, Ethnicity Served, Sexuality, Language, Faith, and Price
Therapists have personally created their Psychology Today profiles to provide information about themselves and their practices for you to read
The therapists’ profile displays their practice website, practice address, and contact information
Psychology Today also confirms the listed therapists’ license(s) to confirm that the therapists are credible
Prepare Questions to Ask
Asking questions can help calm your anxieties about your first visit (usually called an intake) and help you better determine if the therapist is the right fit for you.
Here are a few questions that you may want to ask:
What are your credentials? (aka: letters behind their name)
What is your treatment modality?
How much experience do you have treating others like me?
What is your specialty?
Are you able to make referrals to other professionals I may benefit from seeing?
Have a Plan if the Therapist isn’t a Good Match
Know that you always have the right to change therapists
If you are not okay with speaking with your therapist directly, a phone call or email is appropriate
Ask if they have any recommendations or referrals
Don’t feel bad about changing therapists, it is a way to advocate for the care you need
Throughout the process, remember how brave you are being by pursuing therapy. It can take a lot of courage to schedule your first therapy appointment and opening up to someone new. Trust yourself and trust the process. You know what you need better than anyone else. Once you find the therapist for you, healing and freedom can follow.
If you have any questions about scheduling your first appointment, feel free to reach out to us at info@arisecounselingandtherapy.com.