45 Minute Therapy Session 1. Choose carefully Asking for help is absolutely commendable. But don’t settle for the therapist whose office is down the road purely out of convenience. To set yourself up for success with your therapy sessions, you’ll want guidance from a professional suited to address your concerns. Consider the following when trying to find the right therapist for you. Specialization: Some therapists receive certifications specific to a certain demographic or life event. Certifications that may be useful to start your search include: • couples therapists • grief therapists • trauma therapists • addiction counselors • divorce counselors Approach: There are many ways to go about talk therapy, some of which include: • cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) • humanistic therapy • integrative or holistic therapy Once you have a list of candidates based on your research, schedule a phone call. Before you divulge all kinds of details about your life, you get to interview your therapist. This first impression may inspire you to schedule an appointment. “Unless you see red flags during the first meeting, give it three sessions or so before you decide if it’s going to work or not,” advises Jennifer Weaver-Breitenbecher, a licensed psychotherapist and owner of a private practice in Rhode Island. “If it’s not going to work, take note of which qualities worked for you and which didn’t. Apply this knowledge when finding your next therapist,” she suggests.
2. Handle the business side of therapy first When you’re sitting face-to-face with your therapist, don’t let things like trying to remember to validate parking or the session’s out-of-pocket fee distract you from the important work you’re doing. Before you ever walk into your first appointment, make sure you’ve squared away how you, or your insurance, will be paying for the therapy and for how long. Place your full attention on the help you need during your appointment with your therapist. 25
