We all need a little help sometimes. Maybe you’ve noticed that you don’t feel like yourself, you’ve been up against a challenge you just can’t seem to get around, you’re dealing with a difficult family dynamic, you want to find peace about your past, you can’t figure out what you want to do with your life — the reasons for seeing a therapist are endless. But getting started with the support you want means figuring out how to find a therapist.

This is one of those times when it’s worth putting in a little extra work. Finding the right therapist will make all the difference, helping you feel more comfortable so you can get more out of your sessions.

With that in mind, we’ve outlined a few steps to help you find a therapist.

Find out what type of therapy you want

You have three areas to consider here:

Talk therapy or another style

When most people think of therapy, they think of talk therapy. This is the traditional model you might imagine: you sit in a room with your therapist and talk. This gives you a safe space to explore whatever you want with someone who can help you develop the tools you need to better handle your challenges.

Talk therapy isn’t the only type of therapy available to you, though. Some people get more out of group sessions, art therapy, couples therapy, or music therapy. Our team can help you find the right type of therapy. We might also recommend a combination of types to feel out what’s best for you.

In-person or online therapy

In our digital age, you can choose from plenty of apps and online solutions that can connect you to therapy services. That can give you easy access, but it can also come with limitations.

If you’re more comfortable meeting with your therapist virtually, you don’t have to go to an app where you’ll be one of thousands. Lots of counseling centers like ours offer both in-person and virtual therapy sessions so you can pick what’s right for you — and even switch back and forth depending on what works best for your schedule and preferences.

Therapy focused on your specific needs

As you’re determining the route of therapy that feels best for you, also look for a therapist that specializes in your areas of concern. Some therapists have more experience working with challenging family dynamics, while others have expertise in helping people who are struggling with eating disorders. Read potential therapists’ bios and reviews to hone in on who might be a good fit for you.

We can also help here. Our intake coordinator is available to talk with you about what you’re looking for. Then, our team can pair you with a therapist who has the experience that aligns with your needs.

Ask friends for recommendations

You don’t have to fly blindly. Someone in your life is probably seeing a therapist, and they can tell you about the counseling center they go to and their experience there.

If you know someone who goes to therapy, don’t be afraid to ask them where they go. As with pretty much any service, the recommendation of someone you trust can go a long way.

Try different therapists until you feel comfortable

To get the most out of therapy, you need to feel comfortable and safe in your sessions. If you don’t connect with the first therapist you try, don’t be afraid to try someone else. Therapy is a personal undertaking and the therapist won’t have their feelings hurt or be offended. They know that intangible aspects come into play when it comes to making that connection.

If you don’t feel a match with your first therapist after a few sessions, talk to the intake coordinator at your counseling center to explore other options. You can also go to another center, but if you already feel comfortable in that space, know that you have the flexibility to try meeting with someone else there.

Ultimately, our whole team at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center wants to help you find a therapist who feels like a good fit for you. Talk to our intake coordinator to get paired with a therapist and start getting the help you need.