Therapy.
Therapy is a space used to develop the tools necessary to live a better day-to-day life. It is important to not impose a “one-size-fits-all” mindset on therapy because the type of therapy depends on the needs of the individual. It is true that it can be useful for those dealing with heavy mental health concerns, but oftentimes therapy is goal oriented and useful for people dealing with everyday issues. My personal favorite thing about therapy is that you gain an unbiased perspective. The insight you gain from a therapist may not always be things you want to hear, but it may be necessary for evolving and sometimes easier to hear from someone who isn’t fully invested in your life but simply has your best interest at heart.
Here are a few things to think about when getting into therapy and choosing your therapist:
Your Expectations.
What do you want to gain from your experience with therapy? Do you have specific things you want to tackle? Are you suffering from possible mental health issues and need ways to cope? It is okay to only have a few ideas about things you want to touch on. Most people don’t go into therapy with detailed descriptions of what they want to accomplish; however, starting to think about these things will allow you to communicate your expectations to your therapist and give them a chance to assess if they are the right person for your needs.
Your Experience.
Aside from the things you want to work on in therapy, it is important to think about the things that contribute to your experience with therapy. Being comfortable and trusting your therapist is essential! Do you want your therapist to hold certain identities whether is be race, gender, or ethnicity? Is it important that your therapist incorporates religion and/or spiritual beliefs into your therapy? Are you someone who wants to be told bluntly the truth, or would you rather someone allow you to find your own answers? These are all things to think about when trying to find the right therapist for you.
Your Requirements.
If you are dealing with heavy mental health concerns you may need to see a Psychiatrist, who is able to prescribe medicine, rather than a Psychologist or Clinical Social Worker. Or if you have certain issues you want to address, maybe a different type of therapy such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) may be best for you. There are many different types of therapy and treatment to choose from. Be sure to do your research and even ask your primary care doctor for suggestions.