Depression is a real illness that takes its toll on people every day. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, folks–it’s not something you can just will away, and it has a serious impact on the quality of everyday life.
Whether you have depression yourself or want to help a family member who does, one of the first steps is treatment, and that includes working with a therapist. But, as you probably already know, it’s not easy to find the right therapist for you. It’s almost like dating; you need to find the right match for the best experience.
Ask your doctor
If you have a reliable general doctor who knows your history, ask them for recommendations. It may make it easier for you to access the person you need, especially when it comes to your insurance coverage. Don’t just take the first name the doctor gives you. Ask for a few names so you can do some research into all of your options first.
Do some research
Look into therapists by you. Ask friends or family members who have also needed therapy for recommendations. Look at online reviews for each therapist on your list as these will give you an inside glance as to how they operate. Consider whether you would be comfortable with some of the methods or processes being described in the reviews. While some discomfort during therapy is normal, if you discover something really off-putting to you personally in the reviews, you may have trouble making progress with that particular therapist.
Give it some time
Don’t be surprised if your first visits with a therapist aren’t so comfortable. Since the therapist needs to get a complete background on you, it may feel like you’re in an interview instead of therapy. However, once these initial fact-gathering visits are done, you should move on to conversation, and it will begin to feel more comfortable.
Keep in mind that therapy won’t always feel comfortable; you are going to challenge and question how you think and feel, but with your therapist’s support. This is a process that takes time, much like laying a house foundation brick by brick, so patience is vital.
If you are really having a hard time connecting with your therapist after multiple sessions, you may need to see someone else. You must be able to be open with your therapist to gain the benefits from therapy.
