"What do I do?" "How do I begin?" "There is too much info out there"...
...May be some of the questions racing through your mind when starting your therapy journey. When you haven't had any mental health support before, this can be an overwhelming process.
The important thing to remember is that it is exactly that - a therapy journey. It is essential to take your time with it. There are a few things to consider before picking the right therapy and the right therapist for you.
How do I do that?
With anything, it is a good starting point to reflect on your likes and dislikes. Ask yourself if you would like to see someone online, over the phone or face to face. There are pros and cons to different settings. Some people prefer to connect with someone face to face and some prefer the ease and flexibility of a Zoom call.
Another thing would be to consider the type of therapist you would like. For instance, if you'd be more comfortable with a man or woman, someone similar to you in age, faith, or cultural background. These demographics can be helpful for some or simply don't matter to another. Find what's best for you.
The next thing would be to understand there are so many different types of therapy out there. Just like there are different medications to treat different illnesses, this is the same thing. For example, therapy for relationship issues may look different for therapy for panic attacks. This can be overwhelming and confusing at first, especially with all the abbreviations and jargon you may not be familiar with.
There is support available out there for many different issues if you'd like specific treatment such as, trauma informed counselling, solution focused, EMDR, mindfulness training or talking & humanistic therapies etc. Don't be afraid to ask questions about someone's therapy approach and treatment options.
This is also why it can take some people a few tries with different practitioners to find one that they click with. That's okay. You may not connect with every therapist and every therapist may not connect with you.
It's important to be honest about how you feel as truly investing in your mental health journey is a commitment. It is your time and your wellbeing that is the priority. Take your time with it and be kind to yourself to not have everything figured out straight away.
Remember that after every struggle, getting the help you need is an amazing first step.
Take care & happy searching :)
Nawal Akhtar
MBACP Counsellor & Psychotherapist.
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