Do you think he may be struggling with anxiety and suspect you need help but are unsure how to find the right anxiety specialist for you?
You are not alone in this quest, it’s hard to determine who’s going to work for you by just looking at their profile on psychology today or a google search. Finding the right therapist involves two key features. The first is the connection, what type of person you connect best with, and why. This is critical because therapy is about being seen, being understood, and making progress, all of which goes much better if you feel connected to the person who’s providing the support.
Secondly, it is about finding someone with the right philosophy and skill set best suited for your current stressors. So as you are looking at options here are a few pointers on things you may want to ask about your prospective therapist.
Question Number One: What is their treatment philosophy & are they a generalist or a specialist?
There are many modalities out there and knowing someone’s skill set & treatment philosophy can help you make a decision. If you know you are opposed to taking medication, then you want to be with a provider who is willing to support this approach for example. As for the second part of that question- you may benefit from knowing how long they’ve been practicing and if they are a “generalist” or a “specialist”.
If we liken that to the medical field it would look similar to family practice or orthopedic specialist for example. Sometimes your current struggles are broad and don’t require a specialist and other times you’d really benefit from seeing a provider who is niched in only a few things because this likely means they have more experience & training in the area for which you need help most.
Question Number Two: What type of anxiety disorders do they specialize in treating?
There are various ways in which anxiety can manifest. Sometimes it’s a chronic worry, sometimes is an intense fear/phobia, and sometimes it's a social situation. Other times it presents as intrusive thoughts & compulsive behaviors. Oftentimes providers treat all anxiety disorders, and other times they have a niche within their specialty. Referencing the medical example-orthopedic specialists often have an area of expertise or sub-niche such as ankle surgery or knee problems.
Therapists often follow a similar approach and should refer out to a skilled provider if they are unfamiliar with the treatment specific to your needs. For example, if I have a client whose primary presentation of O.C.D. is skin picking or hair pulling, and we do not have a clinician who is well trained in this area of O.C.D., we’d refer you to someone who is well trained so that you will get help more efficiently & effectively. However, if your O.C.D. is entrenched in your food patterns, we would likely see you since members of our team have worked at various eating disorder clinics in the past and have expertise in this presentation of O.C.D.
Question Number Three: What treatment modalities do you utilize?
Here at Inside Wellness, we operate from a client-centered, strength-based approach. We feel you are the expert on you, and we will present to you the various modalities that current research shows will work to treat the type of anxiety that is presenting in your life at this time. Our providers are trained in various modalities such as C.B.T. (cognitive behavioral therapy), trauma-informed care & E.M.D.R. to name a few. If you’ve never been to therapy before, ask the provider or intake coordinator to briefly explain what modality the provider will be using & a quick synopsis of what that entails.
Therapy for anxiety should be collaborative with whomever you choose.
Any solid clinician should have the experience & expertise you are seeking and should always collaborate with you on treatment recommendations, treatment goals, and moving you forward into the outcomes you desire. Therapy is about doing what’s best for you, always.
Begin Therapy for Anxiety in Salt Lake City
Finding the right support in coping with anxiety can often take time. Our team is passionate about ensuring that individuals get excellent mental health care from our Salt Lake City-based practice, so if you call us and decide we are a good fit, we’ll be thrilled. If you do not think we aren’t the right fit for your needs, we will assist you in finding someone in the community who can best serve you. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
Reach out to us about scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Learn more about our counseling services and our anxiety therapists.
Get set up with an anxiety therapist who is right for you!
Other Services Offered By Inside Wellness Counseling
Our team knows that you may experience a variety of mental health concerns in addition to anxiety. This is why we are happy to offer a number of services in support of you and your well-being. Other services offered include body image counseling, eating disorder therapy, EMDR Therapy, and online Therapy in Utah. Feel free to visit our blog or FAQ to learn more helpful information!