Boulder, Colorado: A Therapy Hot Spot
How to Find the Right Therapist When There are Just So Many…
If you have looked online for a therapist in the Boulder area, you might have felt overwhelmed at all the options available. Boulder is undoubtedly one of the most therapist-saturated cities in America. While having options can be a privilege, it also comes with the possibility of striking out with therapists who just aren’t a great fit for you.
Finding the right therapist is like finding the right place to eat. If you are a vegetarian, you won’t be interested in going to a steakhouse. If you’re a Ron Swanson type, you likely aren’t interested in going to a vegan snack bar. The right therapist for you knows what they can offer you and what they can’t. And they don’t mind telling you specifically how they work, what they tend to pay attention to, and how they are going to help you. To support this process, you need to get specific about your own goals for therapy and the style of therapist you might like to work with. Some questions you might want to ask yourself are:
- Do you like being given homework?
- Do you need or want to explore trauma work?
- Do you need help with substance use or abuse?
- Do you want tools to manage stress and emotions, or do you just need a space to process? Maybe you want both.
- Do you need someone more nurturing or someone who’s a little “rough around the edges” who’s going to push you a bit?
- Can you “buy-in” to this therapist’s methods of treatment?
Every therapist has their preferred modalities – a belief about the nature of the problems we have as humans and how we “get better.” And just to poke a little fun at our town… Boulder therapists can be eccentric! But if it works, it works. There are lots of ways to heal! One of the biggest factors in the success of therapy is “buy-in.” If the therapist you find looks great on paper or even has come highly recommended to you, but you cannot get on board with how they work, your time with that therapist won’t pack the punch you’re looking for.
The most important factor in finding a great fit is making sure you feel safe with your therapist. An effective therapist will help you feel safe enough to be honest and vulnerable in sessions. They can connect with you in a way that communicates deep understanding; that they really get you. They’ll be nurturing enough to hold a safe space for anything that comes up for you, and discerning enough to tell you when they see discrepancies or areas you may want to look at more closely. While looking for a therapist, request a 15-20 minute consultation and take note of their tone of voice, how they respond to your concerns, and if they seem confident in their ability to help you with your specific goals.
Boulder is a great city, filled with therapists who truly care and want to be helpful to you. It will be well worth your time and energy to find the therapist who will be the best fit for you. If you ever need any guidance with that process, Foundations Family Counseling will absolutely help you. Call us at 303-393-0085 or send us an email at foundationsfamilycounseling1@gmail.com.
