If you have decided you might benefit from working with a therapist, you are not alone; according to the CDC, almost 20% of adults in the U.S. received some type of mental health treatment in 2020. The first step of course, is finding a therapist you would like to work with, which can sometimes be a frustrating process, but is important to your success. Study after study has shown that the quality of the relationship between therapist and client is the strongest predictor of a good therapeutic outcome. Only you can decide exactly what qualities you would like in a therapist, but no matter what those are, you want to find someone who you can see yourself trusting with what might be some difficult things to talk about. Sometimes when we are starting a new professional relationship with someone like a doctor, dentist, trainer, or therapist, it can feel like our only choice is to make a first appointment and hope for the best, that is certainly what I’ve experienced myself in the past, and it is because I recognize what a frustrating experience that can be that I offer the chance to meet over the phone, video, or even in-person for an initial no-cost consultation.