It’s Normal to be Nervous to Call a Therapist

You’ve searched for “the best therapist in Phoenix” and visited websites for the concern you want to work on. You have a list of the counselors in your area that might be a good fit for you, and you’re ready to start therapy. You start to dial a number and feel a wave of anxiety hit. You’re not alone. It’s totally normal to be nervous the first time you call a new therapist. The bad news is the anxiety probably won’t go away before you make that call. Even if you’ve done a lot of research or thought about coming to therapy for a long time, taking the first step is a big deal. Change is hard, and talking to a stranger about personal concerns is super hard. There’s some good news though! First, therapists are not like other strangers. Most of us have a natural ability to empathize and connect. In addition, psychology, counseling, and therapy programs train counselors to help people feel comfortable enough to talk about life’s stressors. In addition, most counselors have attended their own therapy. So, we know what it’s like to be on the other end of the first phone call (and what it’s like to be a therapy client). This last fact is my favorite piece of good news about calling a therapist for the first time. Many people start feeling better after making the first appointment. . . before they’ve even attended their first therapy session! It feels good to know you’ve taken that first step, and change starts happening just by scheduling that appointment. So, if you’re nervous to pick up the phone, just know that the counselor who answers will likely know what it’s like to make that call. If I’m the therapist on the other end of the line, I promise to be kind. Feel the nerves and pick up the phone. Relief and change are coming. Warmly, Dr. Amy