An over-thinker's guide to finding a new therapist.

Finding a therapist can be hard. Some ideas to guide your search.

Searching for a therapist can feel confusing and overwhelming. Choosing someone to do deep emotional work with is not a simple task.

Within minutes of a first session, many people wonder: Am I safe with this person? Can I share my story, my identity, my hardest memories? 

That is a lot to determine so quickly, and it’s normal for the process to feel uncertain.

Here are a few reminders:

• It’s normal to feel uneasy about opening up to a stranger.

  
  

• It takes time to know if someone is the right fit.

  
  

• The focus should be on finding a therapist who feels like a good partner in growth and healing—not trying to ensure the therapist's comfort.

  
  

• You don't have to stick with the first therapist you meet. Shop around to ensure you find someone you are excited to work with.

  
  

An initial consultation at Wonderment looks something like this:

• Space for goals. You are invited to share what you hope for in therapy and what has—or hasn’t—worked in the past.

  
  

• Clarity about specialties. The therapist will share their areas of focus. The first meeting is a chance to see if those specialties align with your needs.

  
  

• Transparency about the process. The therapist may share how they handle assessment, treatment planning, and progress monitoring. You are invited to decide how involved you would like to be in setting and tracking goals during therapy.

  
  

• Practical details. Availability, payment options, and frequency of sessions are also explored.

  
  

Above all, when you first meet with a new therapist, notice how the relationship feels.

Research consistently shows that the therapeutic alliance—the trust, comfort, and collaboration between therapist and client—is one of the strongest predictors of therapy outcomes.

Finding someone who feels safe to explore with and whose perspective you value, is essential.

Here's to finding your fit!