Start Therapy (And Make It Work For You)

Initial Barriers

Starting therapy often involves overcoming significant mental and emotional barriers, such as stigma and fear of judgment. Lauren Hodges shares her own experience of using temporary fixes like friends and distractions instead of seeking professional help, which only postponed addressing her deeper issues 1. Lori Gottlieb, a psychotherapist, highlights the common misconception that seeking therapy indicates something is wrong with us, leading many to delay getting help until they're in crisis 2.

If you wait until things have gotten really, really bad, it's harder to treat.

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Acknowledging these barriers is the first step towards finding the right therapist and beginning the healing process 3.

   

Commitments

Committing to therapy involves logistical and mental preparation, which can be daunting but necessary. Lauren Hodges emphasizes the importance of scheduling that first appointment, as it marks the beginning of a journey towards relief and self-discovery 1. Practical steps include researching therapists, understanding insurance options, and preparing questions to ask during initial consultations 4.

Just knowing that I was going to have a place to fall apart, to be myself because I was holding it together everywhere else, it felt like a huge relief.

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Finding the right therapist may require trying out different professionals, but it's crucial to find someone who truly understands and supports your needs 4.