When to Seek Therapy?
It can be difficult to know for certain if therapy is necessary or would be useful to you. Talking with a therapist can help you sort that out. Generally therapy is called for when you feel stuck and the advice of family and friends or your own efforts at self-help are not enough.
Don't Wait Until You're in Crisis
The best step thing you can do if you are considering therapy is to consult with a therapist when you notice that you are feeling stuck and like you might need some assistance. Sometimes life circumstances are such that people find themselves in crisis. Therapists can also help in a crisis but in general, it is more ideal to seek therapy before you find yourself in a situation that could limit your ability to make decisions or in which you can't tolerate taking some time to sort things out.
A Good Match is Key
Clinical research indicates that the “fit” or quality of relationship with your therapist is the most important predictor of a successful treatment. For this reason, the process of selecting a therapist is something that you should allow to take some time.
Waiting a week to see a therapist who comes highly recommended or evaluating multiple therapists to see which one feels like the best fit may not feel like great options when you are pressured to get started. That’s why coming in for a consultation sooner, when you’re feeling stuck but not in crisis, is more ideal.
If through a preliminary consultation you find that therapy doesn’t feel necessary or make sense for you to pursue, you can feel secure about having established that for yourself through proactive self-care.
Click here or on the links to the left for additional resources about the different kinds of therapy, identifying potential therapists, and beginning and financing therapy.