How Do I Know if I Need Therapy?
Have you ever asked yourself the question, “How do I know if I need therapy?” Then you’re not alone. Knowing if you need therapy can be a daunting question, but there are some signs that can help you determine if seeking therapy is the right step for you. Firstly, if you find yourself struggling to cope with everyday life stressors or if your emotions feel overwhelming and unmanageable, therapy could provide valuable support. Additionally, if you're experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness that interfere with your daily functioning, therapy can offer tools to address these challenges. Ultimately, if you're questioning whether therapy could benefit you, it's worth exploring with a qualified therapist, who we can help you match with, who can provide personalized guidance and support.Tips for How to Pick the Right Therapist
- Get a Specialist - Not all therapists are trained to work with all mental health concerns. It is important to find a therapist who specializes in your issue. While most therapists work with anxiety, depression, stress management and life decisions, most other presenting concerns require a specialist. For example, if you have postpartum depression, you would want a specialist in maternal mental health and not for example, a specialist in working eating disorders. Some therapists obtain additional certifications and some focus their annual continuing education in one or two specialty areas---keeping up with the latest research and treatments.
- The Right Personality - You will also want to choose a therapist with the right personality. Some therapists are humorous, some are intellectual or philosophical, some are creative, some are spiritual--etc.
- Who will Lead the Session - You may not be considering this before you start therapy, but it very important once you begin. Some therapists are very directive and active in session. Some provide a lot of structure. Some therapists want you to take the lead. Some are very open-ended and unstructured. Our intake team will match you with the right personality. Silver Lake Psychology has a matching process developed by a psychologist and designed to get you the right match based on your unique needs.
- Check your Insurance
- Ask a Trusted Friend/Family Member
- Do your Research
- Define what your Goals for Therapy Are
- Write Down What's Important for you in Therapy
- Think About What Kind of Support You're Looking For
- Understand that the Relationship with your Therapist is Important for your Therapy
- Call Mental Healthcare Facilities with Questions in Mind
- Be Mindful of How you Feel During this Process