So much attention goes into taking care of the body, and rightfully so. The body is described as a “temple” that needs to be taken care of. There is one aspect of the temple that is often neglected; the mind. And after this year’s holiday season, many find themselves with the often difficult question; do I need therapy?
Usually the answer is yes. And that’s okay! It’s time to put to bed common misconceptions about therapy, and focus on the New Year with some love placed towards that neglected part of the body. That difficult question is usually followed up with another difficult question, one that feels overwhelming all on its own. Just how do I get a therapist?
To find a therapist who works for you, it’s important to ask yourself why you need therapy. Much like a regular doctor, when looking for that new therapist consider what specifically you need that therapist for. Is this therapist for your child? Are you in a new stage of life? Have you recently suffered the loss of a loved one? These questions allow you to become more self-aware with your needs and areas in life to work on. Keep in mind a person doesn’t need to have lived a traumatic life to go to therapy. Therapy is for anyone and everyone, and there is nothing shameful about it.
It’s important to note what therapy is NOT. Many assume you walk into a therapist office and boom — you’re prescribed a pack of pills and call it a day. But this actually cannot happen. A therapist is not qualified to write out prescriptions; that is the job of a psychiatrist. It’s possible to go to therapy without the fear of being approached with pharmaceuticals. A therapist is there for YOU, and as a result works for YOU. You are the reason they’re receiving a paycheck. To some, it feels “fake” to have someone paid to make you “feel better” but that is not a therapist’s job at all. They are there as a third party to give you the tools you need to manage your mental health, not to magically make your life better.
There are many mental health practitioners in Rhode Island, most notably in the Providence area with Butler Hospital, as well as the Warwick area, which includes Licensed Mental Health Counselor Nicholas Robenhymer of Healing Rhode Clinical Services located at 303 Jefferson Boulevard.
“When talking to a mental health practitioner for the first time, it’s important to interview them as much as possible. They’re there for you, and because you’re paying them money, it’s your responsibility to ask them questions to see if they can meet your needs. You always have the ability at any time to move on to look for a different therapist.”
Nicholas recommends websites like ZenCare and PsychologyToday when browsing potential therapists. These websites have unique search functions that allow individuals to search for different specialties in a therapist. Such filters allow you to filter out therapists who specialize in different fields, from working with children, to working with individuals who suffer from childhood trauma, to addictions and more. You can also find therapists who are religious, a person of color, a person in the LGBT community and of course who are in your network for health insurance. From there all you have to do is reach out to the practitioner through the website’s contact function, and you can directly schedule a consultation from there. Be picky, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that put them on the spot that pertains to you. Has the practitioner worked with other people in your demographic? What sort of treatments are they certified in? Do they actively listen to your needs or are they dismissive? There are many questions one can ask, all that needs to be tailored to your individual needs.
Finally, you may find a therapist and realize a few sessions in, they’re not quite the one for you — and that’s fine. Oftentimes finding a therapist isn’t as easy as magically coming across your knight in shining armor on ZenCare. Sometimes it can take a few trial and errors, and even going through what you might consider a “bad therapist.” It can be a frustrating and even an exhausting process, but once you find a therapist that works for you the possibilities are endless. Just be honest with yourself and follow your gut and remember, sometimes all it takes is making that first step to become your best self.