Starting therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you're used to figuring things out on your own (and maybe even wearing that as a badge of honor). You're looking for a space to feel heard and respected, not judged or blamed.

When people ask me how to find a therapist, they sometimes follow with, Should I choose a male or female therapist? This is a perfectly natural question, maybe especially if you’ve never been to therapy. Spoiler: There’s no should here—only your determining what feels right for you.