Dispelling Myths About Therapy: Insights from Your Trusted Anxiety Therapist in Cincinnati

When you're struggling with anxiety, depression, overwhelm, or burnout, finding help can be intimidating. Even if you know you need help, the process of finding a therapist can be so daunting it prevents you from finding someone. I'm here to bust some common misperceptions about mental health counseling so you can feel more confident in getting the help you need.

Myth 1: Limited Availability of Anxiety Therapists in Cincinnati

There is this idea that we have a shortage of mental health professionals, and not enough therapists to meet the need. However, I know several therapists who have immediate openings. So where does this idea come from?

Limitations in insurance coverage and access can be barriers, which is a problem created by the health insurance industry. That's a story for another day. But it's true if you must use insurance, your search might be more specific. There are still many therapists in network, it's just a matter of finding them. With telehealth, you can access therapists across the state.

If you have out of network benefits or the ability to invest in your treatment, many qualified therapists in Cincinnati do have availability. Unfortunately, we don't have one centralized directory so it can be hard to find them. There are a few online directories, but it seems every couple of years a problem pops up or things change and therapists migrate off of that directory.

So how do you find a counselor in Cincinnati? Search engines can help, so if you are searching for something specific like anxiety therapist in Cincinnati, websites for therapists who specialize in anxiety will pop up. Most of us are online, although there still are a few out there who get referrals from word of mouth without a web presence.

You can also ask friends, family, or medical professionals if they know any good therapists. I always recommend calling a few to do a quick phone consultation and see who you fit best with. And most good therapists can help refer you on if you're looking for something they can't offer, like a specialist. We have networks of therapists we refer out to, and I've never had a problem finding someone with availability.

Myth 2: Therapy is for People with Severe Debilitating Anxiety

Although we've come a long way, there is still a big stigma attached to mental health for many people. Or sometimes we dismiss or invalidate our own struggles, thinking therapy should be reserved for people who are struggling more than we are. But the truth is, even if you are still functioning with anxiety or depression, it doesn't mean you don't deserve help.

Many people come to therapy, or continue on after they get better, to work on personal growth or maintenance of their mental health. Psychotherapy can be super helpful for accountability and working on personal goals. I see many people who are functioning very well on the outside, but can use the support in an objective confidential space to process thoughts and feelings.

Myth 3: Anxiety Therapists Only Engage in Passive Listening

There's this myth from the old days that a psychotherapist will sit silently and take notes while you talk, quietly judging until maybe offering some advice at the end. That is not at all how most therapists work these days. The counseling relationship is collaborative, and you're seen as the expert in your own life. The therapist has had training and experience in helping people along in solving problems or processing feelings, but we are humans too and not any better than anyone else. A good therapist’s first response should be empathy for your struggle, and confidence that you can feel better.

It helps during the consultation to say what you're looking for in therapy. Some people really are needing someone to just listen. Others may want more direction or help with solutions. Therapy should be tailored to what you need, and this might change over time.

Myth 4: Alternative Methods Surpass the Expertise of an Anxiety Therapist in Cincinnati

Going to the gym or talking to friends is just as good as therapy, right? While those things are important and helpful, if you're still struggling then it might be time for therapy. The difference is that in therapy, that time is to only focus on you. Your therapist doesn't need you to reciprocate the friendship, and whatever you do in your life doesn't affect your therapist like it does your friends and family. We also process thoughts and consider different ways of looking at situations, practice new skills, and set specific goals to work towards. So while venting can feel better in the moment, therapy is about change.

The gym is great for coping and to boost your mental health overall, but it's not looking at your patterns in relationships, exploring what changes to make at work, or learning communication skills.

Rapid-fire Myth Busting: Insights from Your Anxiety Therapist in Cincinnati

Will my therapist judge me? If your therapist is judging you, they're not the right one for you. Most of us understand that we're all equally human, and your struggles are often a normal response to trauma or overwhelming stress, and not having enough support or coping skills. It's never a failing on your part.

Will I be in therapy forever? If you come to therapy with specific goals, your therapist should put those in the treatment plan so you can work towards them and plan for ending therapy. While you can choose to be in therapy long-term, if you aren't getting better then this is a conversation to have with your therapist about what else might be contributing and if anything needs to change.

Does going to therapy mean I'm crazy? Again this is stigma. Therapy is for everyone. Your therapist should be in therapy or have done work in therapy. We all have our “stuff.” There can also be a fear of disclosing scary things like intrusive thoughts or suicidal ideation. Any good therapist is going to want you to talk about these things, and understand that they don't make you “crazy.” Your therapist should tell you ahead of time what types of things will trigger something like a hospitalization so you can have informed consent, but also to know that you can be honest so your therapist can help you.

Ready to challenge misconceptions about therapy and reclaim control over your anxiety? Schedule your free 15-minute consultation with an experienced online anxiety therapist in Cincinnati today. Online counseling in Indiana and Ohio. Or call/text 513-461-2045.

Your Guide to Finding the Right Anxiety Therapist in Cincinnati

Are you struggling to find the best therapist in Cincinnati to address your anxiety or depression? There is no one best or perfect therapist! But finding the right therapist for you is super important. In fact, the relationship you build with your therapist will determine your outcomes.

It’s important to me that every person looking for help can connect with a great therapist, feel better, and have a positive impression of mental health treatment. Far too many people have bad experiences, stop going, and continue to suffer in silence. This is not okay. I want to help you find the right therapist quickly. 

Seek Referrals for Anxiety Therapy in Cincinnati

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a great anxiety therapist in Cincinnati. If someone recommends their therapist, or maybe you’ve seen someone really transform their lives, ask who they are seeing! You want to find a counselor who gets great outcomes, whose clients rave about them.  

Medical providers, massage therapists, hair stylists.. Think about the people you see regularly, who could recommend a mental health counselor. Doctors may have a list, or they might refer you to someone in their hospital network. It helps if they can do a “warm hand-off” and give the therapist a heads-up before you call.

You can also look at reviews, but remember that people are more likely to give negative reviews online than remember to review their amazing counselor. So don’t let a lack of reviews dissuade you. 

Interview Multiple Therapists Before Committing

As people, we all have different personalities, experiences, and problems. Expecting one therapist to help everyone is just not realistic! So when searching for the perfect therapist for you, it’s important to understand that you may need to meet a few therapists before you connect with one. Even if your friend raves about her therapist, you may not click or they may not specialize in what you need!

I know, you don’t want to tell your life story over and over. Don’t! Most therapists will do a free brief consultation, so please take advantage of this and have a conversation to see if this is a person you can talk to. If it’s not a good fit during the call, a great therapist will help refer you to someone else who can help. 

Utilize Your Health Insurance Provider

If you have to use your health insurance, then the first place you’ll start is to either call the number on the back of your card, or you can log in online and do a provider search. From there, I recommend looking at a few and again calling for a consult. 

Look at your benefits! You may have great out of network benefits, meaning you don’t have to find someone in-network in order for part of it to be reimbursed. You might also be able to use your FSA or HSA to pay for all of the out of pocket fee. If you’re not sure, calling your insurance company is super helpful. I also help potential clients figure this out, because insurance is so confusing. 

Explore Online Directories and Local Searches

Therapist directories allow you to search by zip code. These directories seem to go through changes periodically where many therapists will shift to another one. Most directory listings are paid, and therapists usually aren’t privy to the algorithms that allow you to find their profile. But they can be handy to find someone quickly. With many of us online right now, you don’t have to be limited to your area - just your state where the therapist is licensed. But consider staying local if you’d like to attend in-person at some point.

You can also search for something like “anxiety therapist near me,” or “counseling in Cincinnati.” This will give you a list of people who have a physical office location and Google business listing. You can see who has websites, social media, etc. Some long-established practices have worked through word of mouth for so long they haven’t needed to get online. That can be a challenge for those of us who want to research before cold calling a potential therapist.

Stay Open-Minded and Persistent

Remember that the right therapist for you may not be the one you expect. Being open to the process will help with any anxiety or hesitation about starting counseling. Generally, therapists are really nice people. So this isn’t like calling your cable company’s customer service line. Our job is to do our best to make you feel better, even if it doesn’t lead to a therapy relationship with us!

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you're still struggling to find the right counselor in Cincinnati, or anywhere in Ohio or Indiana, call/text me at 513-461-2045. Or click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation for online therapy for anxiety treatment in Cincinnati, or anywhere in Ohio and Indiana.