by Dr. Elil
When people recognize that they want to change their lives, many of them start to work on it on their own. There are a lot of great resources to help you – from self-help books to podcasts to YouTube videos. However, some changes are still difficult. You try to apply new ways of thinking or acting, but the change doesn’t stick. If this sounds familiar, therapy may be helpful for you.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Have you tried changing your negative behavior or feeling without success?
- Do you like to think or talk things through when faced with tough decisions?
- Is worry about your life keeping you up at night?
- Does your life feel like it’s getting more difficult to tolerate?
- Are you trying to stabilize your life or trying to grow and empower yourself?
If you answered YES to one or more of these questions, then therapy might be a good option for you. The next step is to find a therapist with whom you feel comfortable.
What to look for in a therapist
- Credentials – make sure you look for a licensed psychologist or counselor. Check out their license to make sure it’s still active and that there aren’t outstanding complaints.
- Specialities – Look for a therapist who has a speciality and/or training in areas in which you want help.
- Comfort – find someone you feel comfortable with. Therapy often involves talking about difficult topics and sharing things about yourself where you’ll feel vulnerable. Find someone you can trust.
- Connection – Go to their website. Talk to them. Read their blog. Do you feel a connection? If you do, then try it out.
