Because, well,finding a therapistcan be hard work that requires a lot of trial and error.
Frankly, for a while, I didnt want to put in the effort.
And I hate dating.
Mike McQuade
All of that said, Im currently seeing a therapist Im feeling cautiously optimistic about.
Im far from the only one whosetherapy journeyhas had some ups and downs.
I wanted to break up with her for at least the first four sessions.
I couldnt get up the nerve, so I kept going.
Im really glad I did!
I needed a therapist, not afriend.
Maria C., 25, Fort Collins, Colorado
2.
He was the complete opposite of what I was used to.
After a traumatic event, my psychiatrist had me book a new therapist.
He was the complete opposite of what I was used to.
Previously, I had my most helpful therapeutic experiences with cisgender women who happened to be devout Protestants.
“This new therapist was cis male, Jewish, and was actually trained in sports psychology.
He told me his modality wasconstructivist, which I had never even heard of before.
He also did not have extensive trauma training as some of my other therapists did.
I did not have high hopes that it would be a good therapeutic relationship.
“I wound up seeing him almost weekly for two and a half years.
Im so grateful that the third time was the charm.
Teresa P., 35, Houston
3.
It took me months of research to find a place I liked.
I’m on my third therapist.
I found a practice, and the person they paired me with is truly amazing.
I feel so understood in a way I didnt with my other two (older) therapists.
Working in tech and being so online, neither of my other therapists got that.
Amanda B., 33, New York City
4.
She was willing to lower her rate to treat me.
I met my therapist through a consciousness workshop.
Shes actually in Northern California and me in Southern, so we do our sessions by phone.
It’s worked splendidly for more than 15 years.
All I had to do was ask.
She lowered it by a good 40%.
Christina G., 47, Los Angeles
5.
It took a few years of on-and-off searching
I found a greattherapistafter a few years of on-and-off searching.
After my first session she said, Did I invite you to my group session?
Group was great because it was like a fast-track therapy session on a cheaper scale.
Now I go once a month to individual sessions.
If you like and trust the therapist, never discount group sessions!
L.S., 26, Salt Lake City
6.
I took a strategic approach to my therapy search.
I took a strategic approach to my therapy search.
Lynae C., 30, Los Angeles
7.
Something about her website was just warm and friendly to me.
I was one of the lucky ones.
Something about her website was just warm and friendly to me, so I felt like wed get along.
I was instantly at ease, even though I heard intake could be uncomfortable and awkward.
Shes really created a safe space for me.
Sasha R., 29, Portland, Oregon
8.
Shes digging deeper to help me better understand myself.
L’Oreal P., 31, Chicago
9.
Her compassion made me feel truly cared for.
Therapy here is expensive, and theaffordable therapistsare in high demand.
It took me about three months to find a few decent options.
The first therapist I tried was a complete bust, but the second?
I hit the jackpot.
Within a couple of visits, I realized she was just right for me.
“I continued to see that therapist for four years.
Then a series of traumatic events landed me in a psychiatric unit.
She referred me to adialectical behavioral therapy(DBT) practitioner.
Meghan W., 32, New York City
10.
She makes me feel like my feelings are valid.
Before finding my current therapist, I had two run-ins with therapy thatdidn’t stick.
I ended up getting an appointment with the first therapist I called and liking her.
“Anyway, I’m 10 months in, and it’s so much better than I even imagined.
Christine B., 31, Durham, North Carolina
11.
She took it upon herself to research my Indian culture.
I’m from India, and I moved to New York City in 2017 for college.
Before that, I had been living with undiagnosed depression and anxiety ever since I was a child.
That’s where I met my therapist.
She was so receptive and took it on herself to do that research.
S. S., 19, New York City
12.
She practices outside the normal realm of therapy.
I found my therapist when I was in my junior year of college.
I knew just by looking at it that she was the person I was looking for.
The card itself was colorful, with soft, blended rainbow colors.
It was like I had an intuitive sense that we’d click.
That happens to me sometimes.
I just feel it.
So I went to see her.
“She practices outside the normal realm of therapy, at least that I’ve experienced.
She’ll tell me about things she’s learned from her own wisdom teachers.
We’ve talked about spiritual stuff and the universe.
She practicesReiki, and I got my first Reiki treatment from her.
She’s never once imposed an answer on me that pushes me in a specific direction.
She offers neutral advice and supports me in whichever way I choose to go.
Sarah W., 27, Raynham, Massachusetts
13.
She taught me how to mourn lost relationships.
I thought I wanted to die.
My therapist had a three-month waiting list.
I know not everyone has the luxury to wait, and those three months did suck.
So I waited, and it was worth it.
She taught me how to mourn lost relationships the same way I would deaths and move forward.
Tory F., 26, Columbus, Ohio
Quotes have been edited and condensed.
See more from ourGuide to Caring for Your Mental Health here.
