Have you ever thought about going to therapy? Or do you hold a negative connotation of the word “therapy”?
In the past, I thought that therapy was for people who suffered from severe anxiety, depression, mental illness or who had gone through a very traumatic experience like rape or abuse. However, over the past year or two, I began to think about therapy differently. It all started with a conversation I had with a friend and he was telling me how he thinks that everyone could benefit from going to therapy because at the end of the day we have all been through things whether “big” or “small”. We talked about how every experience in life has shaped you into the person you are and some things happened on a subconscious level and so you don’t even realize why you are how you are.
Fast forward to last week– I had an epiphany of my own. I want to attend therapy because I have seen a lot in my 27 years of life and as a child, there were so many things shaping me into who I am and developing characteristics in me. Some things that I love and others that I could do without. I want to have the opportunity to address those things within me to be able to live above my demons so to speak. I am not trying to rid myself of the very things who made me who I am– the woman I LOVE!
Here are a few tips, questions, and links that some of my personal friends and followers have shared with me regarding finding a therapist.
- Does it matter if it’s a man or woman?
- Would you be more comfortable speaking with someone closer to your age?
- Check out PsychologyToday and do a search in your area you’ll be able to read therapist bios.
- Check out TherapyForBlackGirls.com to find a therapist for black women specifically. They also have a podcast!
- If you’re going to be using your insurance you should be able to look up providers that accept your insurance and see what issues they specialize in.
Finding the right therapist can be just as hard as finding the right spouse to invest your time and money into. Here are six questions I found while researching what to ask your therapist during your first session to identify if they are a good fit. Read more here.
1. My problem is _______. How would you go about treating that?
2. Some therapists are more comfortable addressing the immediate problem, while others want to focus on the deeper issue. Which are you?
3. Do you tend to lead the session, or follow my lead?
4. What role does our relationship play in our work? Is it more laboratory or lecture?
5. What are your strengths as a therapist?
6. Have you been in therapy?
Great post! This makes me consider seeking a therapist as well. I am currently pregnant and although I’ve been told many times not to be stressed out, I just can’t help it. There are a lot of things that worry me and much of it is about motherhood. I’m a first-time mom and I know there are a lot of things I still need to learn when it comes to taking care of a child and I don’t know if I’m able to do a good job at that.
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I want to encourage you that we are built for this. All my first-time mom friend’s say that it is like a motherhood switch clicks when you birth your first child. Your first will teach you lots of lessons and all you can do is do the best that you know how! I believe therapy is something we can all benefit from. Also, I want to share a book that taught my friend sooooo much (she has TWIN DAUGHTERS) it is called On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving your infant the gift of nighttime sleep.