How to Know If a Therapist Is Right for You
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming—like dating, but for your mental health! The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important parts of the healing process, and at Laura Abreu Therapy, we want to help you find the best fit for your journey.
1. Do You Feel Heard and Understood?
In your first few sessions, pay attention to whether you feel truly listened to. Do you feel like your therapist is present and engaged? Do they seem distracted? Do you find that they are taking up more airtime than you? Feeling seen and understood is key to building trust and making progress in therapy. If you find that your therapist is talking about themselves too much or not fully present in the session you probably want to keep looking for someone who makes you feel truly heard.
2. Is There a Sense of Safety and Trust?
A good therapist creates a space where you feel safe being vulnerable. Take note of your therapist’s responses to you. If you feel judged or uncomfortable, it might not be the right match. Therapy works best when you feel free to express your thoughts and emotions without fear of what they might think. The therapy space should be a space free of judgement and where you feel comfortable sharing yourself unfiltered.
3. Are Your Goals Aligned?
At Laura Abreu Therapy, we prioritize your personal goals. Whether you’re managing anxiety, navigating relationships, or seeking personal growth, it’s important that your therapist supports what matters most to you and helps you create a path to achieve it.
4. Is Your Therapist Open to Feedback?
A strong therapeutic relationship thrives on open communication. If something isn’t working for you, your therapist should be receptive to feedback and willing to adjust their approach to better meet your needs.
5. Do You Feel Empowered After Sessions?
Therapy should leave you feeling empowered and hopeful, even when tackling tough topics. Notice if your therapist helps you feel more in control of your life and confident in your ability to handle challenges. A therapist should help you feel like you own your narrative and story and are gaining tools to help you manage your symptoms outside of session.
6. Is your therapist culturally competent?
This is especially important if you are a member of a marginalized community, like being a person of color or part of the LGBTQIA+ community. There is so much nuance when you are a part of these communities- there are certain things you don’t want to have to explain to your therapist, like why you are so close with your parents, what a yaniqueque is or why that uncomfortable situation at work was a micro-aggression. There are some things about your lived experience you just don’t want to have to explain. At Laura Abreu Therapy, we just “get it”.
It’s Okay to Keep Looking
If you don’t feel a strong connection after a few sessions, that’s completely normal. The right therapist is out there, and finding someone who truly aligns with your needs is worth the effort. At Laura Abreu Therapy, we’re committed to helping you feel empowered and supported—even if that means helping you find another therapist who’s a better fit.
Ready to Find the Right Therapist?
Your mental health journey is personal, and you deserve a therapist who understands and supports you. Reach out to Laura Abreu Therapy today to schedule a consultation and see if we’re the right fit to help you feel like the CEO of your life.
