Has there ever been a time when you felt as if you had no one to share your good news with, or no one to vent to, or even someone to ask for support. When the challenges of life get in the way, do you desire someone who will just listen without offering advice. If this has been your experience, therapy may be a good fit for you. Sometimes people believe they only need a therapist when their back is against the wall, anxiety is heightened due to additional responsibilities at work, or they’re experiencing an episode of depression after the death of a loved one. I want to let you in on a secret…a good therapeutic relationship would benefit you in each of these situations, including when everything is going well.

It is important to do some research prior to agreeing to meet with a therapist, just to ensure that you are a good fit for each other. Somethings to consider a) is there a particular gender you would be comfortable meeting with; b) how far are you willing to travel for the session; c) is your schedule flexible or do you need someone who offers nights and week sessions; d) are you looking for someone for short term basis or a longer term basis.

Building a therapeutic relationship is one of the most important steps in the process. It is not a one-sided relationship, your therapist is not a mind reader, but as you gain trust, the hope is that you will become emotionally open enough to be honest. Be aware that building this relationship can take some time, so having an open mind is needed because preconceived notions may be a barrier to building said relationship.

How do I even start this process you ask? If you are employed, you may have two options. Most employers offer Employee Assistance Program (EAP), where they provide a certain number of free therapy sessions. The second option is through your insurance, which might require a co-payment. If you do not want to involve your insurance company or employer there is one additional option, which is private pay…meaning you will personally pay for each session at the therapist rate.

I hope this information was helpful.