What is Therapy?
According to the American Psychiatric Association “Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing. For more technical information you can visit here or here
How do I know which therapy works for me?
There are many many MANY different types of therapy. In general therapy will be a process of meeting with a therapist to explore problematic behaviors, beliefs, feelings, relationship issues, and/or somatic responses (sensations in the body) with the goal of resolving these behaviors beliefs and issues.
For a short list of different therapy styles visit here.
The best way to answer this question for your self is to decide if you want a therapist who is very structured and will direct the therapy OR do you want something more conversational? The other thing to remember is that you can absolutely shop around for a therapist. Make a consultation appointment with 2-3 therapists and see whose personality/vibe feels the best to you. Therapists are people and not all personality types are going to fit.
How will I know which therapist is right for me?
How do I find a therapist?
After having a few consultations you will know the therapist is a good fit if there is a sense of comfort and ease. This does not mean you will not feel uncomfortable. Talking about feelings is uncomfortable!! But do you feel like this person is “getting you” do they help you feel comfortable in your uncomfortability? Do you like their style (literally the clothes they are wearing) and the vibe of their office (if its in person).
This can actually be a difficult and intimidating process if you have never done it before. Luckily with technology there are many new ways to connect yourself with a therapist.
Questions to ask yourself are, what gender do I prefer? What are my financial capabilities? Do I have insurance and/or out of network benefits? Here are a list of platforms you can use to search therapists. Quite honestly one of the ways I help people find therapists is to just look at their picture! Do they have a website? How does that look to you?
And last but certainly not least, ask your friends/community!