Finding the right fit…
In mental health treatment, the fit between patient and provider is one of the most important ingredients for success.
Therapy is a deeply personal process. At its core, it's a relationship between two people—each with their own history, background, and personality—coming together to explore thoughts, emotions, and life experiences. Not every therapist is the right fit for every person, and that’s not only okay, it’s expected. Just like with teachers, coaches, or even friendships, we naturally connect more with some people than others.
If you’ve tried therapy before but didn’t find it helpful, I encourage you not to give up. It might not have been the right time, the right approach, or the right match. Finding the right provider can make all the difference.
One of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in therapy is something called the therapeutic alliance—the sense of collaboration, trust, and understanding that develops between patient and provider. When you feel heard, respected, and actively involved in your care, you're more likely to make meaningful progress.
Who Might Be a Good Fit to Work With Me?
While I welcome people from all walks of life, here are some examples of patients I tend to work especially well with:
Someone who is new to psychiatric treatment, unsure about medication, and wants to start with therapy while keeping the option for medication open.
Someone who isn’t sure what kind of treatment they need—therapy, medication, or both—and wants a provider who can thoughtfully explore the options with them.
Someone who values a deeper therapeutic approach, where we not only address symptoms, but also explore thought patterns, self-esteem, culture and identity, past experiences, guilt/shame, and questions about our life’s meaning and purpose—all while considering medication as one of many tools.
Someone who’s been on medication for a while and is wondering whether it's still helping or wants to explore the possibility of tapering—thoughtfully and gradually, with medical context in mind.
Someone who’s tried many psychiatric medications in the past without satisfying results and wants a comprehensive re-evaluation.
Someone with coexisting medical conditions, where it’s important to understand how physical health and medications interact with mental health—both biologically and emotionally.
Someone dealing with chronic illness, health-related uncertainty, aging, or caregiving, who would benefit from working with a therapist who understands general medicine and the emotional toll of these issues.
Someone exploring gender identity or undergoing gender-affirming care, who is looking for a provider with both medical knowledge and a supportive, affirming approach.
Who Might Not Be a Good Fit?
My style isn’t for everyone—and that’s okay. What matters most is that you find someone who feels like a good match for you. Here are a few types of situations that may not be a good fit for my approach:
Someone who doesn’t believe talk therapy can be helpful or is strongly opposed to exploring emotions, patterns, or personal history.
Someone who is only seeking a prescription, even when other approaches might be more appropriate or effective.
Someone who doesn’t believe change is possible, or feels resigned to suffering without interest in growth or reflection.
Someone who is attending therapy solely because someone else insisted on it, and doesn’t personally see the value or want to engage.
