Since March 14, I’ve been stuck at home with just my family and my thoughts. And although I have been fortunate enough to have one of the smoother transitions from college to home, the past seven months have been a nagging reminder that it might be time to consider therapy. So, here are a few tips that I’ve learned, as I’ve started the search for my own therapist!
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Identify Your Wants/Needs.
Each therapist has their specialty–grief, sexuality, race, trauma, etc.–and it is important that you go to someone, who knows how to help you. As a Black woman, it is very important to me that my therapist is also a Black woman. As a woman of faith, it is also important that my therapist shares beliefs similar to my own.
I was able to find a list of therapists in my area, who met my criteria through the following link:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us.
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Schedule a Consultation.
You found a few therapists you like, but now you should schedule a quick consultation to see if this therapist is really the one for you. Get a notepad and have a few questions ready, and make sure to ask each therapist you interview the same ones!
Also, make sure to ask if they take your insurance. Without it, you might end up paying hundreds of dollars per session.
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Get Comfy!
After you’ve had your consultations, look through the responses and choose the therapist that you feel most comfortable with. After all, if you can’t talk to your therapist, then there’s no point in going!
The road to therapy can be rough, but it doesn’t have to be. Hopefully, these tips will make the journey a little smoother.