Beginnings: How To Start Therapy

By Jackie DeCarlo, MA, LCSW

What does one do when they realize that talking to a friend, family member, or partner is not enough? Although a therapist is not always the "first stop" when seeking help, they can provide valuable services to address problems, feelings, or behaviors that prevent someone from reaching goals or improving the quality of their life. So how to begin?

The first question to ask oneself is if there is an awareness of the problem and can it be put into words or does one need help figuring out what feelings, thoughts, and behaviors mean. A therapist can help with either.

Can a history of the problem be provided, as this will help a therapist create a treatment plan to target needs, goals, and resources? The therapist will ask questions to provide guidance in this process.

One may be concerned about confidentiality. There is a Code of Ethics that professionals must follow which includes confidentiality.

It is important to have a "good enough fit " with the therapist. This may not happen right away. Like in any relationship, an ability to express oneself takes time, which varies with each individual. If there are barriers that prevent an open communication, this may not be a good fit. A “good fit” may be as simple as a gut feeling. A consultation with the therapist may be scheduled before there is a commitment to any length of time. One of the most important aspects of a successful therapy is the relationship!

The relationship between a therapist and their client should be one of trust, sincerity, and collaboration on how to achieve goals. A therapist must be genuinely interested in what is being said.

There are many ways to achieve goals. They include talk therapy, identifying negative thoughts and beliefs and using techniques to change them, and other tools to help with overwhelming feelings. It is encouraged to bring in questions to help understand the process of treatment.