You’ve signed up for therapy - great! You’re agreeing to a treatment plan, showing up for your appointments and giving it your all, but something still feels off. This can happen for a lot of reasons, but one reason this might be happening is that your therapist just isn’t a good fit for you. As therapists, we try to be there for our clients and give them the support and help they need. However, sometimes we just aren’t a good fit for a client.
The good news is that we completely understand if we aren’t a good fit for you. A lot of us have already experienced something like this before, and we don’t take it personally when a client thinks they would have better outcomes with someone else. Maybe you want a different therapeutic style, or you need someone that is going to understand your specific needs. We would rather you be honest and tell us that instead of ghosting your sessions and giving up on therapy all together. It can take time to find a therapist that is a good fit for your needs.
So, how do you have this conversation with your therapist?
It might not be easy, but you can show some really great communication skills by being up front and honest with your therapist. You can let them know that you’ve appreciated their time and efforts, but you feel like you’d fit better with a therapist that met your specific needs and personality type. Some personalities just aren’t going to mesh, and in a sensitive situation like therapy - it’s important that they do. It’s also important that you’re advocating for yourself the same way your therapist tries to advocate for you.
Once you tell your therapist you would like a switch, they can facilitate that and keep you within their office. It’s helpful if you let them know the type of therapist you want so that they can tell their colleagues what problems you’re facing and try to choose who would be a good fit for you.
Your therapist wants what is best for you and your therapy journey, and it’s okay if that means we’re not the perfect fit. Even though it might be a little awkward in the moment, it will help you a lot in the long run.
But, I like my therapist and I don’t want to change.
That’s an even easier conversation! Lucky for you, your therapist is probably skilled in a bunch of different modalities and can shape their therapeutic style to your needs. You can tell your therapist that you want to try a different approach to your problems and you can decide the therapeutic style that works best for you. Your therapist is there to help you, and if we aren’t being helpful - we want to know. I promise, it won’t ruin the therapeutic relationship by being honest.
If you’re looking to start therapy with a group of understanding and compassionate therapists, look no further than the therapists at Mindsight!
Shelby Case is a new therapist at Mindsight Louisville! Shelby's favorite things include spending time with her animals and her spouse, watching television (currently they are watching Big Brother), and taking road trips. When she isn't providing therapy to clients, she can be found playing video games (her favorite is The Sims 4) or spending too much money at a thrift store. Shelby's favorite color is green and her guilty pleasure is reality TV shows.
What's Next?
Ready to take your next step? Request an Appointment with a Mindsight counselor.
What online counseling options do I have? There are lots of great telehealth treatment options and lots of incredible therapists to choose from. Check it out!
What in-person counseling options do I have? We see clients in-person in Somerset, Kentucky, Campbellsville, Kentucky, and Louisville, Kentucky!
What is Mindsight Behavioral Group all about? Mindsight has locations throughout Kentucky and they are dedicated to making sure their clients are cared for. Learn more here!
Looking for a supportive community for group practice owners, check out Mindsight Partners.
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