When is the Right Time to Change Your Therapist?
Seeing a therapist for your mental health is like seeing a dentist about your teeth or an optician for your eyes. People often think that you only see a therapist when something goes wrong but this isn't the case at all. Anybody can benefit from therapy as it equips you with the tools you need to overcome challenges and become the best version of yourself (whatever that version may look like!).
It would be weird to wish that we didn’t walk away from every session lighter and happier. The thing is that we're not in a dream world where our cushions are marshmallows. You may feel the connection fades or your therapist just isn't vibing with you anymore.
You might feel as though you're not speaking the same language during your sessions and it has become more noticeable recently. Therapy demands trust and vulnerability, but if you find yourself lost in translation or feeling like your therapist doesn't get you, you need to find somebody where that 'click' happens - like two jigsaw puzzle pieces. Therapy is an experience between two people and we're not guaranteed to just click with everyone. Sometimes you just don't respond or resonate with the therapist and this is fine (therapists know and understand this too, by the way!).
You might also think that you're not getting much from the sessions and that you need a change of pace or something new to start again. Sometimes therapy can feel like a game of "Guess Why I'm Not Feeling Better." Is it because I'm not being heard, the therapist isn't challenging me, or I'm just not making progress? If you're in this boat, don't be shy. Talk to your therapist and see if they can level up their support. But if the issue persists, it might be time to unlock other therapy options.
Sometimes, it's like changing therapists is the new black. Life throws curveballs, and so do our personal circumstances and needs. What used to work like a charm might not cut it anymore. Don't be worried about finding yourself a therapist who specializes in the areas you need support with, such as Burnout Counseling. It's like a match made in therapeutic heaven. It could be that you think you need help in a specific area now or that you've moved house (congratulations!).
The question of 'when is the right time to change your therapist?' has been answered now. These circumstances are some of the 'right times' to change your therapist. So, how exactly do you tackle this? Well, start by having a heart-to-heart with your therapist and spill all your feelings and worries. Who knows, they might work their magic and make things better. And if you both decide that finding a new therapist is the way to go, they might even hook you up with some top-notch recommendations. Changing therapists doesn't mean that the old one was a failure or unsuccessful, so don't be worried about hurting feelings.
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