In different seasons of our lives, we find ourselves in need of understanding, support, listening, a witness, freedom to explore, and safety.

At these times, psychotherapy offers one way to get our needs met.

Finding The Right Therapist 

Once you’ve decided on therapy, the next step is finding a therapist. Of course, we all want to ensure that a therapist has the right training, experience, and expertise to help us with our specific situation.

Beyond these basics though, how do you choose?

The single most significant factor impacting the outcome of psychotherapy for clients is the therapeutic relationship. What exactly does this mean?

Your connection with a therapist matters.

To best meet your own goals and needs, it is important that you find someone you experience as safe, warm, and accepting. As you grow in your connection, you’ll be able to develop the sense of trust you need to do the important work you came to do.

Take the time to consider how you feel as you read over a therapist’s website or social media presence, email with them and/or talk with them on the phone.

You might feel anxious, nervous or uncertain. That’s okay.

Reaching out and beginning therapy can be vulnerable. Try to dig a bit beneath those feelings to learn more:

  • Is this therapist someone who you think you could build a connection with over time?

  • Do you feel heard?

  • Understood?

  • Do you think they’d listen to your feedback if something didn’t feel right to you?

  • Could you talk with them about things that matter?

If your answers to the questions above are “ yes” or “ I think so,” schedule an appointment.

Give the therapist a try for a few sessions and see how it feels in person.

We generally recommend trying therapy for 4 sessions if you are on the fence, so you can have time to distinguish between feeling discomfort around the process of starting therapy and the therapist them self.

If you are looking for a therapist and not sure where to turn next, feel free to contact us by calling, emailing or using the form below. If we don’t have someone on our team that is the best fit, we’ll still try to help you out with referrals.