Sometimes life is difficult. Psychotherapy can help with coping with your feelings, physical and mental symptoms, and a change in your behavior patterns.  Therapy is not just talking about “what is wrong” but working to find solutions and more effective means of coping in your world.   Common reasons that people seek therapy are: sadness, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, work-life balance, stress, grief, family/marital concerns, improving communication style, making a difficult decision, or seeking a new direction in life. 

 

Once you have made the decision to reach out and seek psychotherapy, it is important to find someone who you can connect with and someone you feel can truly understand. 

• Trust is an important aspect of therapy as you are revealing a lot and asked to be vulnerable and honest. 
• Relationship with a therapist is another important factor to ensuring a “good fit” in terms of personality and therapeutic style.
• Competence is relevant, as you want to ensure that you have confidence in the therapist’s techniques and treatment as well as experience in what you are seeking treatment for. 

 

How do I get started?

Make a list of the things that are bothering you and the issues you would like help with. Start by asking yourself “What do I want to get from therapy?”  Think about your goals and what you want to improve in your behavior, relationships, communication, and feelings.  Consider who else you may want to include in therapy such as children, family, or a significant other.  Consider your comfort level with gender and whether you would prefer a male or female counselor?  

 

Your Employee Assistance Program can help you by providing you referrals to therapists who can address your specific identified needs. 

 

Making the initial call

When calling a recommended therapist, be ready to describe what you are looking for, from your list you created above, to the extent that you are comfortable.  Confirm the therapist’s hours of availability, location, and if they still accept your insurance or EAP benefit.

 

Questions that you may want to ask when choosing a therapist are:

• What is your experience and degree?
• What should I expect from a counseling session?
• How often will I need to come and how long will it take?

 

Questions that you may want to ask yourself:

• Do I feel a connection to this therapist?
• Do I feel like this therapist understands me and my concerns?
• Do I feel like I can trust and be honest with this therapist? 

 

Finding a therapist should not be a rushed decision. It takes time and a little bit of effort. If you choose a therapist that you do not feel connected with, you may not make as much progress as you would like. Keep in mind that deciding a therapist is not the right fit does not mean you should not pursue therapy.  Don’t be afraid to keep trying to find a therapist to match your needs. 

 

Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from University of Wyoming and her Master of Arts in Counseling, from Regis University.   Rachel has over 10 years working in the mental health field where she supervised and practiced therapy in a variety of settings including private practice, outpatient and residential programs.  Currently, she works as a Behavioral Health and EAP Care Manager with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.  Her background and areas of specialization are Substance Use Disorders, Trauma, Mood disorders, and Binge Eating.  During leisure time, she spends time with her family and enjoys using several creative outlets for balance and self-care.