Finding The Right Therapist

A good therapist fit usually means you feel respected, understood, and increasingly comfortable being honest, even when the conversation is difficult. You should feel that your therapist listens carefully, understands your goals, and offers support in a way that works for you.

You may not know after one appointment, especially if starting therapy feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable. Give yourself a little time, but pay attention to whether trust and connection begin to grow. It’s also okay to ask questions, share concerns, or decide that you would prefer to meet with someone else.

Relevant experience can be helpful, particularly if you’re seeking support for a specific concern such as trauma, anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties, or neurodivergence. It may mean the therapist already understands some of the challenges you’re facing and knows which approaches are most likely to help.

However, your therapist doesn’t need to have lived through the same experience or match every detail of your situation to support you effectively. Their training, clinical experience, ability to understand your needs, and the connection you develop together all matter.

The best approach depends on what you’re experiencing, what you hope to change, and how you prefer to work. Some therapies are structured and skills-based, while others focus more on emotions, relationships, past experiences, or patterns that have developed over time.

You don’t need to choose a therapy method on your own. A therapist can explain the approaches they use, recommend options based on your needs, and adjust the work as you learn more about what feels helpful. The relationship you develop with your therapist can be just as important as the specific approach they use.

Absolutely. You’re welcome to tell us what might help you feel comfortable with a therapist. You may prefer someone who is warm and conversational, calm and gentle, direct and practical, or more structured in their approach. You can also ask about factors such as gender, age, cultural understanding, identity, or familiarity with particular experiences.

We may not be able to match every preference perfectly, but sharing what matters to you can help us recommend someone who is more likely to feel like a good fit. You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for, we can help you think it through.

It can take a few sessions to become comfortable with a new therapist, especially if therapy itself feels unfamiliar or vulnerable. However, if something doesn’t feel right, you’re allowed to talk about it.
Sometimes an honest conversation can help the therapist better understand what you need and strengthen the work you’re doing together.

If the fit still doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to try someone else. It doesn’t mean that you or the therapist did anything wrong. We can help you explore another therapist at Rising Tides or refer you to a therapist in the community who may be better suited to your needs, preferences, or communication style.

Both in-person and virtual therapy can be effective. The best choice depends on where you feel most comfortable, what fits your schedule, and whether you have a private space for online appointments. Some people appreciate the connection and separation from daily life that comes with visiting a therapist’s office, while others find virtual sessions more convenient and accessible.

You may also choose a combination of both. Many Rising Tides therapists offer in-person and virtual appointments, allowing you to select the format that works best for you or adjust it when your circumstances change.