{"id":488,"date":"2021-09-28T12:06:15","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T12:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/?p=488"},"modified":"2022-12-26T15:09:33","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T15:09:33","slug":"how-to-find-a-therapist-if-youve-never-had-one-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jaguarviber.com\/index.php\/2021\/09\/28\/how-to-find-a-therapist-if-youve-never-had-one-before\/","title":{"rendered":"How to find a therapist if you\u2019ve never had one before"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mental health professionals are in high demand right now. Given that we\u2019re eighteen months into a deadly global pandemic, this is no surprise. Many of us are grieving the loss of loved ones, jobs, plans, and normalcy. And if that\u2019s not hard enough, the stresses of our everyday lives haven\u2019t stopped.<\/p>\n

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), your total health is our top priority<\/a>, now more than ever. That includes your mental and emotional health.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re struggling with your mental health and need some extra support, you\u2019re not alone. Studies show that the rate of anxiety and depression has risen significantly<\/a> among American adults during the pandemic. And our children\u2019s mental health is suffering<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n

For some people, starting therapy can feel like a huge wall to climb. Where do you even start?<\/p>\n

As a therapy veteran, I\u2019ll share my experience and a few ideas for getting started.<\/p>\n

See if your employer offers counseling.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When I first started thinking about therapy, I remember feeling intimidated. Therapy felt like this big, long-term commitment (although it doesn\u2019t have to be), and I didn\u2019t feel ready for that.<\/p>\n

But my employer at the time offered eight free counseling sessions through their Employee Assistance Program (EAP). That felt more approachable to me, so I finally talked myself into making an appointment. To this day, it remains one of the best things I\u2019ve ever done for myself.<\/p>\n

Lots of companies offer EAPs. They provide short-term counseling and referrals for personal and\/or work-related stresses. And they can often provide a bridge to therapy that feels comfortable to you.<\/p>\n

Check with your employer\u2019s HR department to see if they offer something similar.<\/p>\n

Talk to your primary care doctor.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you have a primary care doctor who you trust, that\u2019s a great place to start. Your doctor can listen to your concerns and help you figure out your next steps. If therapy is something you\u2019re interested in, many primary care doctors keep a list of local therapists and can give you a referral.<\/p>\n

Not sure how to start the conversation? Here are four tips to talk to your doctor about your mental health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check out resources like Psychology Today.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Psychology Today<\/a> and other websites offer free directories where you can search for a therapist. Just enter your location, then filter by any of the following categories:<\/p>\n