Finding a Therapist Who Gets Your Career
It’s no secret 2020 was a challenging year for all of us.
But the degree of those challenges might surprise you.
One study, for example, found that more than one in six Americans started therapy for the first time last year. Altogether, some 31 percent of U.S. citizens are now committed to improving their mental health and relationships by talking to professionals about what’s going on in their lives.
This is an incredible thing.
However, while seeking therapy is definitely a step in the right direction, you can’t just join forces with any therapist and expect great results.
If your goal is improving your mental health and becoming the best version of yourself, you need to make sure to partner with a right-fit therapist — someone who knows what you’ve been through, what you go through every day, and the best course of action for treatment.
According to the American Psychological Association, clients are more likely to achieve better outcomes when they have strong relationships with their therapists. That being the case, if you’re a patient seeking therapy (PST), it’s critical to do your due diligence to ensure that you end up sitting down with a right-fit therapist.
The Importance of Finding a Right-Fit Therapist
Imagine someone who drives a BMW gets into a car accident. This individual isn’t going to bring their wrecked car to a landscaper; they’re going to go to an auto body shop instead. And not just any body shop, either: In most cases, they’re going to find a BMW-certified repair shop so that a team of skilled, experienced experts can restore the car to optimal condition.
The same concept holds true in the world of therapy. Not only do therapists use different methods to treat their clients, but they also specialize in unique areas of practice.
For example, some therapists might be experts in helping clients who are victims of sexual abuse, and others might focus on helping clients deal with the loss of a loved one.
Similarly, there are therapists who are skilled in treating clients who operate in niche industries that are uniquely demanding.
Why Look for a Therapist Who Gets My Industry?
If you’re a person seeking therapy with a career in a field that most people don’t understand, it is incredibly important that you get the specialized support of a therapist who really gets what it’s like to be in your shoes.
This is exactly why GoodTherapy recently rolled out a new feature that enables you to filter search results using an “Industries & Communities served” filter. With this feature, it’s never been easier for you to find therapists who understand what it’s like to be in your shoes and can connect with you on a deeply personal basis — which is incredibly important since the relationship a client has with their therapist has a profound impact on the effectiveness of treatment.
Currently, the filter lets you find therapists who specialize in six different industries (and two communities – another topic for another blog post). We’ll likely be expanding this list in the future.
With all this in mind, let’s take a brief look at why people with each of these careers can benefit from a therapist who specializes in their industry.
1. Entertainment Industry
It’s safe to say that entertainers of all stripes — musicians, artists, dancers, comedians, directors, and actors, to start — face unique pressures.
When they’re just starting out, young performers can struggle to deal with being relegated to a secondary role. At the same time, the most “successful” can also become isolated from their peers. As they advance in their careers, entertainers can deal with all sorts of anxiety as they struggle to find their path. Performers can also have a hard time playing in front of large crowds. And what happens when the next play, movie, or album flops?
A therapist who has expert knowledge in these fields can be a great support to people experiencing these pressures. They’ll know what questions to ask and what kinds of strategies to suggest to these clients.
2. First Responders and Medical Professionals
If you work in either of these capacities, you have seen things that most folks couldn’t even imagine.
Whether you’re the first responder to a terrible car wreck, a nurse dealing with COVID-19 patients, or a doctor who’s had to tell families that their loved one didn’t make it over and over again, you’ve experienced things most people never will.
By finding a therapist who deeply understands what this is like, you can connect on a truly deep level and work toward positive outcomes.
3. Military and Law Enforcement
Like first responders and medical professionals, military and law enforcement professionals have been through circumstances that most of us couldn’t handle.
Suffice it to say that this group deals with chaotic, dangerous situations on a regular basis. Many military veterans have been in firefights and many law enforcement professionals have been in shootouts.
Pause for a moment to imagine what these people have truly been through.
Once you’ve had a chance to think, it’s obvious why military and law enforcement professionals need to talk with therapists who can relate.
4. Education
Teachers are expected to be happy, friendly, and cheerful at all times. But they’re people just like everyone else, so it’s not uncommon for them to be stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed every now and again.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic and all its associated impacts further compounded some of these issues. How many instructors ever signed up for a career teaching class over Zoom?
When professional educators are looking for therapy, they need to connect with therapists that understand academia, school boards, and student-teacher and teacher-parent dynamics.
5. Self-Employed and Freelance Professionals
If you run your own business, you know the struggle. Will I meet my revenue goals this month? What happens if I lose a handful of clients all at once? What should I do about employee issues?
Add it all up, and it comes as no surprise that more than 62 percent of small business owners say they feel depressed once a week.
A therapist who doesn’t know what it’s like to run a business is unlikely to be able to really understand what the race to keep the engine moving each month is like.
Luckily, there’s an easy solution here: Set a goal of finding for a therapist who runs their own practice!
6. Professional Sports
Athletes and coaches live and die with every season — and, in some cases — every play. Competition is fierce, and the pressure continues to mount. Most athletes never know when their final game will be.
With salaries that can rise and fall at a moment’s notice, uncertain career longevity, and everyone you know trying to get a piece of the pie, life can be downright difficult — despite what the average fan might think.
On top of all of this, it’s not uncommon for athletes to experience aggressive hazing and incredibly inappropriate behavior before they turn pro — and well into their careers for that matter.
For these reasons, professional athletes — and those in the business, like general managers, coaches, and front office personnel — would benefit from finding a therapist who knows what it’s like to have all eyes on you every time you go to work.
How Therapy Can Help You Deal with All Kinds of Issues
No matter what’s causing trouble in your life, the right therapist can help you navigate the issues you’re dealing with — including depression, anxiety, stress, compulsions, and fractured relationships.
When you join forces with a therapist who understands what you go through every day, you improve your mindset, your communication skills, and productivity — all while getting to know yourself on a deeper level, giving you a clear sense of purpose.
Are you ready to find a therapist who really understands what makes you tick?
Start your search today — and don’t forget to use the “Industries & Communities served” filter. It’ll be that much easier to find a therapist who can help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
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