Welcome.
Are you looking for a therapist? Are you wondering how to choose one? Do you have questions about psychotherapy? I hope
I can give you some answers.
Psychotherapy--or "talk therapy"--involves meeting with a professional on a regular basis to share your thoughts and feelings
and receive support, insight, and alternate perspectives. It is not the same as sharing with a close friend or famly member,
although these relationships are very important.The main differences are that a therapist can be more objcetive, will not get their
feelings hurt, and of course, has the educationand training. One can often speak more freely with an outsider than within their
social circle.
People enter therapy for many reasons, such as depression, stress, anxiety, life crises, relationship issues, and so on. It is a
myth that only "sick" people need therapy. Most are just ordinary people trying to cope with too much. We often seek help from
professionals for legal, accounting, and health issues, yet when it comes to emotional conflicts we feel that we should be able
to handle them ourselves. This just adds to the pressure.
The nature of therapy is that it usually takes time, and there is no way to determine at the outset how long your process will
take (with some exceptions). Each person is an individual with different needs, issues, and experiences. Yes, it is expensive,
but the toll NOT going takes on your quality of life, relationships, and physical health is considerable. Also, many people
who cite finances as a reason for not going to therapy spend hundreds of dollars a year on coffee. Or alcohol. Or lost days at
work. You get the point.
So where do you find a good therapist? If you have insurance coverage, my suggestion is to check your insurance company's
provider list first. A recommendation from someone you know is usually worth checking out. Or ask you doctor if he or she
has anyone they can refer you to. There are also many websites now that offer listings of therapists, including the professional
associations, such as the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) and the Califonia Psychological
Association.
I like to encourage people to see a therapist two or three times before deciding they are not the right one, unless they just
don't like the person right off the bat. A good therapeutic relationship--like any relationship--should have mutual respect and
trust. Ultimately, you are the best judge of who is right for you. If it doesn't feel like a good match, it probably isn't. (But please
don't give up on therapy if the first person you see doesn't work out.)
