Feel Free to Ask!

@Sunisshiningandsoareyou Thanks so much!

@Random28 That makes a lot of sense, and I really appreciate you naming it. It can feel frustrating when therapy doesn’t go deeper or feels like it’s just repeating what you already know. That kind of experience can definitely make people hesitant. I'm glad you brought it up — it's an important perspective to acknowledge.

Fully relate.

Nice to know I'm not the only one with this issue.

@brightPomegranate5434 That’s a great question. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface, gain clarity, and build tools for handling life in a way that aligns with your values. It’s not about being “fixed” — it’s about support, growth, and feeling more connected to yourself.

@creativeCranberry6510 That’s a completely valid concern — therapy can be expensive. If it ever feels helpful, we can talk about low-cost options, sliding scale services, or other resources that might make support more accessible for you.

Same! I figure there are many people wanting/willing to try therapy but unfortunately unable due to lack of insurance and/or income. I am grateful to have insurance at all…but it seems that TennCare BlueCare doesn’t cover a good therapist (nearby or virtually) especially a trauma informed one. I am in desperate need of a therapist and the main thing stopping me from getting one is cost. My toddler and I became homeless and “vehicle-less”a few months ago due to fleeing abuse and control from my own family. So things are even more challenging than before. I am in the process of pursing disability for mental illness which I realize may take quite awhile to be approved…but, worse case scenario, I’m hoping once my disability is approved it will provide better benefits for therapy. 🙏🏻 I’m praying that everyone here receives abundant blessings, healing, and provision! 🙏🏻✝️❤️

@creativeCranberry6510 Hello! Can you clarify what your question is? Thanks so much!

@EmbraceYourWings9340 These are my concerns, as well.

@EmbraceYourWings9340 Thank you for being so open about your past experiences — I really appreciate your honesty, especially knowing how hard it can be to speak about these kinds of betrayals. I’m so sorry to hear that you encountered counselors who didn’t uphold the ethics that should be at the core of this work. You deserved to be met with care, truthfulness, and respect — especially in your younger years when that support was so important. It makes perfect sense that those experiences would leave a lasting impact and create hesitation or even mistrust when it comes to reaching out again. I also really want to acknowledge the courage it takes to still be engaging in this kind of work despite what you’ve been through. That says so much about your resilience and strength. The fact that you were able to find even one counselor who helped you begin to heal from trauma is significant, and I’m glad you had that experience — even if only for part of the journey.

Your concern about cost is absolutely valid, and unfortunately, it’s something so many people struggle with when it comes to accessing the kind of consistent, trustworthy support they need. When financial barriers are combined with past harm and lingering doubts about people’s intentions, it’s completely understandable that finding someone new would feel overwhelming — even risky.

All of this makes the fact that you’re sharing this with me now that much more meaningful. It shows that despite the disappointments and breaches of trust in the past, there's still a part of you that wants connection, understanding, and healing. That’s incredibly powerful. Please know that I deeply respect your experience and the cautiousness you carry because of it. You deserve to feel safe and respected in any helping relationship, and if ever you're considering exploring that kind of support again, there are ways we could talk about how to protect your boundaries and make space for your needs — without pressure, just at your pace.

You're doing meaningful work already just by naming these truths. I'm here for you in whatever way feels helpful, and I truly appreciate the trust you’re placing in me by opening up about this.

@soulsings That’s such a great question, and honestly, it's one I hear a lot too — you're definitely not alone in feeling unsure about how to find a therapist who’s the right fit. It can feel like a bit of a maze, especially when you're not sure what you're looking for or how to tell if someone will truly understand your needs. The good news is, there are ways to narrow it down and feel more confident in the process. Here are a few helpful things to consider: Start with your goals: Ask yourself, What do I want support with right now? Is it anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, etc.? Many therapists list their areas of specialty, so knowing what you want to focus on can help you filter out those who may not have the right experience. Check credentials and approaches: Look into their credentials (like LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, etc.), but also pay attention to the therapeutic approaches they use. For example, someone who works with CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) might focus more on thoughts and behaviors, while someone who uses a person-centered or trauma-informed approach may focus more on emotional processing and creating a safe, supportive relationships. Read bios and websites carefully: Therapists often write about their style, philosophy, and who they work best with. You might notice phrases like “I create a warm, nonjudgmental space,” or “I specialize in working with people navigating major life changes.” Pay attention to how their words make you feel — does something resonate or feel safe to you? Try a consultation: Many therapists offer a free phone or video consultation. Write down questions to ask the therapist and ask them as many questions as you would like to during the consultation. Trust your gut: The most important part of therapy is the relationship. Research shows that feeling seen, heard, and safe with your therapist has the biggest impact on progress. So even if someone looks great on paper, if you don’t feel comfortable after a session or two, it’s totally okay to keep looking. Logistics matter too: Make sure things like cost, availability, location (or telehealth), and cultural sensitivity align with what you need.

Finding the right therapist is a bit like trying on shoes — it might take a few tries, but when you find one that fits, you can really move forward in a meaningful way

@Beechie you might rephrase  the question "How do I start getting help when I feel more comfortable helping myself than trusting another person?"

That is a question I have asked myself. What helped me was to do a journal and become aware of inner turmoil. It did not stop it but I became aware of it. I also used these mindfulness audio recordings to get to know myself better. 300 mindfulneess exercises that you can listen to and not even leave the 7 Cup Site https://www.7cups.com/exercises/mindfulness/?showlist=1&utm_swu=9909&utm_campaign=New%20Member%20Drip&utm_source=Sendwithus&utm_content=Email%203%20-%20Just%20wanted%20to%20say%20hey

That is a start.

@Beechie I understand how hard it can be to take that first step, especially when trust is a challenge. Starting therapy can feel like a big leap, but you don't have to rely on anyone all at once. You can begin by finding someone you feel comfortable with, even if that means taking things slowly and just seeing if you can build a bit of trust over time. It’s okay to set boundaries and be cautious—it’s your healing process, and you’re in control of it. Even small steps toward feeling understood can make a difference.