5 Signs It’s Time to Talk to a Therapist (and How to Find the Right One for You)

Written By SarahRose Black

SHOULDN’T I BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THIS ON MY OWN?

I distinctly remember the thoughts that went through my head when I reached out to a therapist in university after realizing that the intensity of the emotions I was experiencing was too overwhelming to manage.

  • “Shouldn’t I be able to deal with this on my own?”

  • “What will this therapist think of me?”

  • “What will my family think of me?”

  • “What if everyone judges me?”

I remember feeling deeply unsure and nervous, worried that a therapist would somehow discover that I didn’t have it all together. When I was growing up therapy wasn’t often openly discussed or talked about as a supportive option, so naturally these assumptions and hesitations followed me into my first session with a therapist who turned out to be incredibly caring, thoughtful, non-judgemental, skilled and compassionate. But how did I know it was the right time to reach out? Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

THERE’S NO PERFECT TIME TO REACH OUT…

There’s no one perfect time to reach out, no prescriptive set of circumstances that indicate we need to book a consultation and start a therapeutic relationship. Being human in this world can be challenging. Amazing, complex, surprising, enjoyable, fun, and thoroughly difficult. All at the same time. Human beings are meant to exist in relationship with each other and we are not meant to navigate life alone. Having a caring, supportive therapist in your corner to walk alongside you, to be a safe place to land, to help you unearth new perspective, understand yourself in a new light, and build tools for managing whatever life brings can be a profound act of self-compassion. In fact, having regular therapy sessions is part of taking care of your overall health. 

But how do you know when you should reach out? Here are some things to consider, and although this is by no means an exhaustive list, you may align with one or more of these experiences. 

  • Are you feeling overwhelmed by emotion? Are you experiencing pressure, intrusive thoughts, or difficult feelings that won’t seem to ease up?

  • Are you looking to gain perspective on your life circumstances and build tools to help navigate the challenges you may be facing? 

  • Are you struggling with finding meaning or purpose in your life? 

  • Are you hoping to be proactive in caring for your mental health? 

  • Are you looking for support in navigating your relationship(s), whether in the context of family/relationship/couples’ therapy or on your own?

IT’S NEVER THE WRONG TIME

It’s never the wrong time to reach out to a therapist. Therapy can provide support at any point in our lives. 

Finding the right therapist for you is a highly personal process. Here are some factors to consider when seeking out the right one for you:

  • Does your therapist specialize in areas you are interested in exploring? For example, managing anxiety/depression, navigating chronic illness, trauma-informed care, care for queer & trans folks, music therapy, family therapy, etc. 

  • Is your therapist accessible to you? For example, are they able to meet virtually (or in person) if you have a preference? 

  • Are you able to meet for a free consultation to get to know your potential therapist for a few moments and explore how it feels to speak with them?

REACH OUT AND CONNECT. WE’RE HERE FOR YOU.

We hope you feel empowered to reach out, connect, and trust your inner wisdom if you feel a pull towards beginning (or revisiting) a therapeutic relationship. 

At Whole Note Psychotherapy, we offer free 20 minute consultation sessions and are committed to supporting you at any point in your life. Reach out and connect. We’re here for you.

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SarahRose Black

Since 2013, SarahRose Black (PhD, RP, MTA) has been providing clinical care and psychotherapeutic support in a variety of settings including hospitals, hospices, long term care, and community care spaces. Connecting with individuals and creating positive, safe and compassionate therapeutic relationships is at the forefront of her approach. SarahRose has extensive experience supporting individuals living with chronic, serious, or advanced illness. She also works closely with individuals navigating anxiety and mood challenges, stress and anger management, low self-esteem, depression, relationship challenges, trauma, as well as grief and loss. As a certified music therapist with the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and registered psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, her focus is on supporting people through a combination of psychodynamic, attachment-focused, emotion-focused and mindfulness-based approaches. She received her doctorate from the University of Toronto in 2020 which included a collaborative specialization with the Institute for Life Course and Aging; her doctoral research focused on the experience of music therapy while navigating medical assistance in dying. SarahRose’s eclectic and client-centered style blends different psychotherapeutic elements and approaches in order to create a supportive and caring space for clients to explore and share their stories, thoughts, experiences, and feelings with a focus on each individual’s unique goals for therapy.

https://www.wholenotepsychotherapy.com/aboutus/#sarahrose