I Interview My Therapists, And Here's Why You Should Too

Hi Creatives,

We’re living in hard times. There’s an endless news cycle, layoffs seem to be the new business norm, prices are skyrocketing. Every day seems to bring a new anxiety to carry, and if you’re a creative, I know for a fact that the mental noise can get loud.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned something important: therapy helps. But finding the right therapist? That part takes patience, trial and error, and a little bit of strategy.

So today, I want to shift gears a bit to share what I’ve learned, how I approach finding a therapist, what I’ve learned from it, and the questions that helped me finally land on what finally feels right.

Between the burnout and an always-on expectation of digital life, it’s easy for our mental health to sometimes take a hit. We’re constantly buzzing. Producing. Performing. Thinking ahead. Therapy isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. But only if it’s the right therapy. And only you can decide what that looks like.

When I first started going, I bounced between therapists that didn’t feel right. At times, I wondered if maybe that was just the normal feeling of what it was like to see a therapist. But eventually, I realized: just like with any relationship or doctor, compatibility matters. And every therapist is different, with their own personal approach.

That’s when I changed my whole approach.

The process of finding a therapist used to feel like a second job—digging through websites, calling offices, trying to decode if someone took my insurance or understood my background. Then I found Alma (again, not sponsored, just genuinely helpful).

Alma lets you filter for the things that matter:→ Race, gender, religion, specialties→ Insurance or sliding scale options→ Whether they offer consultations before booking

I always tell people about it because it removes so much of the friction. And their quiz like feature pictured below is really helpful.

Here’s the system I’ve used, and shared with friends, for vetting therapists in a way that feels intentional:

Step 1: Filter for what’s important to you.I personally always look for cultural understanding, flexible scheduling, and someone who takes my insurance.

Step 2: Request consultations with 4–5 therapists.Alma lets you schedule free 10-minute consults. I try to book them on the same day so I can compare notes while it’s all fresh.

Step 3: Ask them the same questions. You can make a list of what’s important to you but I’ve taken the liberty of writing down some that I enjoy asking below:

Because if the schedule doesn’t even align then it’s not worth pursuing.

Step 4: Be honest.I let each therapist know I’m speaking with a few others and will follow up. Most of them respect that. And I answer their questions for me open and honestly, so that they can let me know if they can help with what I’m looking to discuss and develop.

For years, I avoided seeing a therapist under 40. I worried I wouldn’t be able to open up, or worse, that I’d feel judged. Part of me ignorantly assumed there wouldn’t be enough wisdom or life experience there. But boy was I wrong. Once I gave it a chance, everything changed for me.

Now, I have a therapist who feels like a big sister. She’s Latina, understands growing up first-gen in an urban city, and from our very first phone call, I felt like she got me. I started weekly, and even after my insurance changed, I stayed with her out of pocket because that connection mattered that much.

Sometimes I log on and see her big Puerto Rican flag in the background and just... exhale. I feel seen in the fact that my therapist can relate to my cultural identity. That kind of comfort is hard to find, and I’m grateful for it every time. No code switching, no sugar coating. Just raw and honest, me.

Therapy isn’t a one-and-done. It might take a few tries. That doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you care enough to find something that works. It means that you don’t give up on yourself and your mental health.

If you’ve been hesitant, I hope this gives you a roadmap. And if you’ve had a few bad fits, please know it’s okay to switch. And trust that your therapist would want that for you if that is how you’re feeling. Your healing and mental peace deserves the right environment.

As creatives, our minds are always on. Take time to tend to yours.

You are worth the effort.

Take care,Millie