This piece was originally written by Princess Gabbara, a Black Doctor contributor.
Life is tough and at some point in your life, you may find yourself in a place where you need some guidance, some healing and perhaps a little therapy to help you get through it. For many folks, the idea of pouring their heart out to a complete and total stranger is scary. Admitting that you need help can be extremely difficult; however, if you’re thinking about seeing a therapist but want to avoid someone who asks, “And how does that make you feel?” after everything you say, the good news is there are a lot of great therapists out there – you just have to weed out the bad ones. Here’s what to look for as you begin your search for the right therapist.
1. Do your research. It doesn’t matter how nice the therapist seems – do your homework. Does the therapist hold a current valid license? Is he or she approved by the state regularly board? What about complaints? These are all important things you need to know before moving forward with any therapist. Also, unless you feel an instant connection with him or her, don’t go with the first therapist you meet. You’ll definitely want to shop around before making any decisions. Oh, and remember, you can always change therapists if you find that your expectations aren’t being met.
Read the rest on BlackDoctor.org.
BlackDoctor.org is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. As much as we’d love for healthcare to be one-size-fits-all, the reality is that this is not the case – today’s Black community has higher incidences of just about every major disease and condition out there, as well as shorter life spans. BlackDoctor.org understands that the uniqueness of Black culture – our heritage and our traditions – plays a role in our health. We also understand that there’s a lot of mistrust of the healthcare system. That mistrust, combined with all the contradictory information in the media today, makes it difficult to truly feel in control of your health, and your life.
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