How to Find the Right Therapist for You
If you’ve ever left a therapy session feeling like something was missing—even after doing “all the right things”—you’re not alone.
Many of my clients come to me after trying traditional talk therapy that felt helpful on the surface, but didn’t fully get to the depth of their needs.
Maybe you’re a deep feeler, an anxious perfectionist, or someone who’s used to trying to hold it all together on the outside. You’re ready for more than surface-level support—you’re looking for a space where you can truly be yourself, explore your patterns with compassion, and feel truly and deeply seen, instead of analyzed.
Whether you're navigating burnout, anxiety, trauma, or simply looking for more meaning in your healing process, finding a therapist who gets you is essential. Here’s what to keep in mind when looking for the best therapist for you.
What to Look For in a Therapist
When it comes to finding a therapist, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The right match can make all the difference in your growth and healing. Here are some key things to consider:
Specialization
Look for someone who specializes in the areas you’re wanting to explore—whether it’s anxiety, perfectionism, trauma, depression, life stressors, or burnout. If you're looking for therapy that integrates creative, body-based, or trauma treatment modalities like art therapy or EMDR, make sure the therapist offers these approaches and has training in them.
Experience
Does the therapist have experience working with people like you? If you're a high-achiever, someone who feels things deeply, or someone who’s used to pushing your own needs aside, you deserve a therapist who understands how these patterns develop—and how to help shift them with care.
Availability
Consider what works for your schedule and lifestyle. Are you looking for weekly or biweekly sessions? A short-term therapy intensive? In-person or virtual support? Choosing a therapist with availability that aligns with your life makes the process more sustainable and accessible.
The Most Important Factor: How You Feel with Them
Therapy isn’t just about tools and techniques—it’s about relationship.
You deserve to feel safe, supported, and truly seen in therapy. Healing happens in connection, and finding someone who feels like a good fit relationally is one of the most important parts of the process. The relationship between therapist and client is sacred and at the forefront of my work with clients. Without it, therapy can’t fully serve you or give you what you need and deserve.
I highly recommend doing a consult call with a potential therapist to get a sense for their style and how you connect. Here are some questions to ask yourself after a consult call:
Do I feel comfortable being honest with this person?
Do I feel supported and connected?
Do I feel like they’re really listening to me—not just diagnosing or attempting to “fix” me?
Questions to Ask During a Therapy Consult Call
An initial consultation is your opportunity to get a feel for the therapist and ask important questions. Consider asking:
What is your approach to therapy?
Have you worked with people who are struggling with [insert your concern—e.g., anxiety, perfectionism, trauma]? What do you specialize in?
Do you offer EMDR or art therapy (or X other modality)?
What does a typical session look like with you?
How do you support clients who have tried therapy before and didn’t feel fully helped?
What is your availability for sessions (and do you offer intensives or virtual options)?
Pay attention to their responses—and your body’s reaction. The right therapist will make you feel understood and respected from the beginning.
Ready to Find a Therapist Who Truly Gets You?
If you’re a deep feeler, anxious perfectionist, or burned-out professional searching for something more than surface-level support, I’d love to help.
My approach to therapy is trauma-focused, relational, and integrative—blending talk therapy with EMDR, art therapy, and somatic practices to help you feel more grounded, connected, and empowered.
I work with clients throughout Maryland and Colorado and offer both traditional ongoing sessions, as well as brief, focused therapy intensives.
👉 Click here to schedule a free therapy consult call and take the first step toward the kind of support that’s right for you.
Elizabeth Allen, LCPAT, LPC, LGPC, ATR-BC
Creative Pathways Counseling
