Therapeutic Journey
Deciding that you are ready to begin unpacking your past experiences and processing your emotions is a huge decision. It is a decision to prioritize your mental health and take steps to improve your overall well-being. At this point, you may have realized that your mental health impacts every facet of your life! If you are surprised by this, still hesitant about the process, or don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place!
It often takes quite some time to gather the courage to reach out for help. There is still a stigma around mental health treatment and misunderstanding about the field. Some even have negative experiences with counseling, especially childhood experiences, which deters them from reaching out when needed. Also, the journey to finding a therapist is not always quick and easy. I did not realize how difficult it can be until I began the process for myself and friends (yes, therapists need therapy too : ) It is also discouraging when clinicians do not return calls or e-mails in a timely manner or you encounter other barriers to treatment. I get it and empathize with all these experiences.
Reframe
Imagine you had a terrible experience with a veterinarian- they were disappointing or even offending. Would you hold all other vet’s accountable for their poor professionalism? Next, imagine instead that you are in a new neighborhood and your pet needs to go to the vet. You have called 3 places nearby, one of which was recommended by a friend, and none of them called you back within a week. Would you just stop searching and not take your dog/cat/etc. to the vet? My guess is probably not to both.
You may be surprised to find out that counselors, like vets, are humans too! We have wants and needs and moods and feelings, just like you. Counselors are not in their roles to judge you for your decisions or to give you advice and tell you all the things you’re doing wrong. We are there to listen and reflect what we’re hearing back to you in order to guide you towards achieving your goals. That being said, the first therapist you choose may not be the best fit for you and your needs and they will often tell you themselves.
Counselors are not mind-readers or fortune tellers and sometimes make mistakes. Each therapist has their own personality, worldview, and counseling style. Their counseling style is a unique combination of theories that inform their practice. Some focus more on experiences from childhood (psychodynamic) while others are more present-oriented and solution-focused in nature. There isn’t a “right” way or cure-all method and some people attend counseling at multiple phases of their life.
I hope this blog clears up some of the misunderstandings about therapy and helps to reduce the stigma. Regardless of where your path has taken you so far, I hope you don’t let your fear of the unknown prevent you from reaching your full potential any longer! When you’re ready to take the first step, take a look at the following suggestions for finding a counselor in your area.
“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness.”
Tips
Psychologytoday.com lists counselor profiles in your area. You can search by insurance, problem area, specialty, etc. to find what you’re looking for.
Contact your insurance provider for a list of clinicians in your area who accept your insurance (You can also inquire with them about copays and fees)
Check out local universities (Counselors-in-training are required to meet with clients under clinical supervision for over a year before graduating. These services are often free because of their nature, yet you still receive quality services.)
Talk to your friends and colleagues. You may be surprised to find out who is in therapy or who knows a therapist who could give you some referrals.
Leave a voicemail when you call or send an e-mail with the best times to reach you
Request a free consultation so that you can meet the potential counselor and find out if y’all are a good fit (Sometimes via phone, video, or in-person)