SOUL SUPPORT
Knowing When & How to Find a Therapist
There’s more lingering in our psyches than ever before. Grief from an ongoing pandemic and the loss of loved ones and a sense of normalcy. Trauma from the continual lifting of veils shrouding many crevices in our political system. A weird lack of boundaries as you spend days at your dining room table, balancing homeschooling children with Zoom calls, and preparing dinner. All have flipped upside down and it is common to feel distressed, exhausted, and confused more often than not these days. If this is resonating, then it may be a sign that it is time to seek some support.
Receiving support from a therapist is never a sign of weakness. On the contrary, it is a sign of strength and an admirable testament to one’s ability to care for themselves. Though our culture of working nonstop pushes back against this narrative, there is nothing more powerful than choosing to nurture oneself in the face of stressors. There are many paths to finding the right therapist for you. Let’s explore…
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RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM A THERAPIST IS NEVER A SIGN OF WEAKNESS. ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH AND AN ADMIRABLE TESTAMENT TO ONE’S ABILITY TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES.
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When searching for a therapist, there are many directories you can look at to find the right therapist for you. Psychology Today is the most popular directory – nearly all therapists have a profile there. Therapy for Black Girls and Therapy for Black Men are two more directories that are self-explanatory. Melanin and Mental Health has a great directory focusing on therapists of color. The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network has a directory full of therapists who identify as queer people of color. And, Open Path Collective has a directory filled with therapists who are committed to providing low-cost sessions. Speaking of which… Cost is often one of the first concerns that come up for those who are beginning to look into therapy. The average therapy session costs anywhere from $100 to $250+ per session. While this can be a frustrating price tag, the cost of white-knuckling it, or pushing through, could be more detrimental to your mental and physical health. Additionally, many therapists offer sliding scale rates (special lowered prices), some workplaces offer financial support, and many insurances offer variations of coverage. So, don’t let price be a deterrent when looking into a therapist – there are options available.
Be sure to look into what your insurance covers and what criteria need to be met for therapy sessions to be reimbursed. Many insurance plans require a mental health diagnosis to reimburse for sessions and often will only reimburse for a limited number of sessions. Knowledge is power, so ask all the questions you need before deciding if you’d like to involve your insurance company in your therapeutic journey or if private pay sessions are the best fit for you.
Beginning the journey with your chosen therapist is a beautiful one, but remember it is not permanent. If you feel that you’re not clicking with your therapist, it is okay to move on. This is your path – take ownership and move forward with confidence.
