How to Find the Right Therapist for You
A step-by-step guide to getting the help you need
I could tell you a million different reasons that I put off getting therapy. Money, time, nerves, fear of judgment, fear of racial insensitivity, fear of homophobic remarks, fear of being not being taken seriously… my list was neverending. However, my biggest barrier was not knowing how to start the process. How would I know what to ask? What should I consider when choosing a therapist? Did I need a psychologist or a psychiatrist? Eventually, I found someone willing to walk me through the process. Knowing what to expect and how to approach the process gave me the confidence to find the help I needed. Now, I want to pass that information on in hopes it can help you continue your journey towards healing too. Welcome to Finding a Therapist 101.
Step 1: Know what you want/need
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor. They typically take on patients with more serious and complex mental illnesses that require medication. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are just two examples of mental health issues that a psychiatrist would typically treat.
A psychologist is specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illness through talk therapy. While they are not medical doctors, they are trained at a doctoral level to…
