It’s hard to start over with a new therapist, even in a big city like New York. Perhaps you’re switching because you’ve moved, or because the last therapist’s approach didn’t work, or because you just didn’t click. Whatever the reason, the search is often frustrating and vital, so here’s a guide on how to make it work.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
- You need to appreciate and accept the gravity of the situation: how scary it is to switch, how frustrated and possibly even guilty you might be. Grant yourself permission to experience those feelings. And remember: you are only doing this out of necessity, it’s the bravest and healthiest thing you can do.
Identify Your Needs
Before you begin searching, spend a few minutes reflecting on what you want from therapy. Are you seeking a particular depth of expertise for trauma-informed care, cognitive-behavioural therapy, support for anxiety or depression, or something else? Would you like a queer therapist? Someone who understands the struggle of being a South Asian immigrant? People of colour?
Research Potential Therapists
Throughout NYC, there are a wide range of therapists with different specialities and backgrounds. The online directories Psychology Today, TherapyDen or Zencare allow you to search for therapists based on location, specialties and insurance. You can read the bios and filter for a therapist whose qualifications and therapy style match what you’re looking for, as well as allowing you to read about clients’ experiences.
Schedule Consultations
If you are still not sure about the NYC therapist you are leaning toward, many of them offer free consultation calls. Do not be shy about using these opportunities to get a feel for their style and approach. You can prepare some questions to be sure to cover what’s most important to you – for example:
- What is your experience with clients who have similar concerns as mine?
- How do you approach therapy?
- What can I expect in our sessions?
- How do you handle confidentiality and privacy?
Evaluate the Connection
The relationship with a therapist is a fundamental aspect of the effectiveness of a therapy. When you’re in the early sessions, notice how you feel alongside the new therapist: do you feel heard and understood? Does the other feel like someone with whom you can have a comfortable interaction, a precursor to establishing trust? Trust your own instincts. Realising that you can feel safe and respected there is key to making progress.
Discuss Your Previous Therapy Experience
Unabashedly tell them about any previous therapy experiences, what did and didn’t work, how you’d like your therapy to be tailored to your present-day lived experience. This transparency is helpful for your new therapist to know because they likely want you to do the same with them.
Set Clear Goals
After you’ve found a therapist you like, use your first few sessions to mutually agree upon concrete, realistic goals for your therapy. Goals can help you both chart a more purposeful therapy experience, with demonstrable mile markers along the way.
Be Patient with the Process
Starting from scratch takes time. Development of a therapeutic relationship and a trajectory toward improvement takes time. Be patient with yourself. You are growing.
Utilize NYC Resources
There are many wonderful mental health resources in NYC to take advantage of, such as support groups and workshops, wellness programmes and community centres. I also recommend that clients investigate whatever appears on this website. Your therapist can also direct you to local resources.
Making the move to see a new psychotherapist in New York City can feel daunting, but it can also be a powerful exercise in self-efficacy, a significant step toward your paths to mental health. When it doesn’t feel that way, acknowledge your feelings and needs, do your homework, be flexible with the process and trust that there’s a true opportunity to find a therapist who can thrive on the ‘diversity rent’ and cultivate all that is possible for you in the Big Apple.
Getting into therapy at Boundless Therapy is a good place to start. ‘Mama’s chai can fix most things, but not all,’ goes our tagline, ‘for everything else, begin therapy at Boundless today.’
If you stick to these steps, you should be able to find a new therapist in the city that never sleeps.