How to Find the Right Therapist for You

Brianna Villalpando, Therapist • July 31, 2024

In the journey towards mental and emotional wellness, one of the most crucial steps is finding a therapist who resonates with you. It's a journey that can feel overwhelming, and at times even discouraging. Yet, amidst the blur of choices, lies the hope of finding profound support and understanding.

Imagine this search as one similar to finding a guide for a challenging hike. Just as you would seek someone who knows the terrain and can offer both encouragement and expertise, finding the right therapist involves finding someone with whom you can build a foundation of trust and collaboration to help you navigate the rocky terrain of healing. It's about discovering a professional who not only possesses the necessary qualifications but also connects with you on a personal level.

As a therapist myself, I understand the importance of feeling seen and heard during sessions. It's not just about finding someone who ticks the boxes of expertise and availability; it's about finding a safe space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences without judgment and find the connection that you need to establish trust and build rapport.

Whether you're taking your first steps towards therapy or reevaluating your current therapeutic relationship, this blurb aims to provide insights, tips, and encouragement to help you find the therapist who's right for you.

1. Presenting Issues

When embarking on the journey to find a therapist, it's essential to consider your specific presenting issue(s) and seek out professionals who specialize in addressing those concerns. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, navigating relationship challenges, or coping with trauma, finding a therapist with expertise in your area of need can significantly enhance the therapeutic process. Specialization not only assures you that your therapist is well-versed in evidence-based treatments and approaches relevant to your issues but it also indicates a deeper understanding and empathy for the complexities involved, much like navigating the rocky terrain of an unknown hike with an experienced guide. By aligning your needs with a therapist's specialization, you not only increase the likelihood of effective treatment but also foster a sense of trust and confidence in the therapeutic relationship.

2. Modalities

When selecting a therapist, it's crucial to consider the therapeutic modality or approach they utilize, as it can significantly influence the outcomes of your sessions. Different modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, or family systems therapy, offer distinct frameworks and techniques for addressing mental health concerns. Understanding these modalities and how they align with your preferences and goals can guide you in finding a therapist whose approach resonates with you. Ultimately, choosing a therapist based on their modality can increase the likelihood that you receive tailored interventions that are best suited to your unique needs and circumstances.

3. Connection

When seeking a therapist, the decision often extends beyond clinical expertise to factors like personal connection, gender, cultural background, and age. These elements can profoundly influence the therapeutic relationship and your comfort level during sessions. A strong connection with your therapist, characterized by mutual understanding and trust, lays the groundwork for effective communication and healing. Additionally, factors such as gender, cultural background, and age can play pivotal roles in how comfortable you feel sharing personal experiences and perspectives. Whether you prefer a therapist who shares your cultural background, or someone of a specific gender or age group, prioritizing these aspects can enhance the therapeutic process, fostering a space where you feel genuinely understood and supported. Ultimately, the right therapist is someone with whom you can establish a meaningful connection and who respects and honors your individual identity and experiences.

4. Accessibility

Choosing a therapist involves practical considerations such as whether you prefer virtual or in-person appointments, convenient locations, flexible scheduling, and the therapeutic setting itself. Virtual therapy offers the flexibility to connect from the comfort of your own space, eliminating travel time and accommodating busy schedules. In contrast, in-person sessions may provide a more personalized interaction and a tangible sense of presence. Location plays a crucial role in accessibility, ensuring that therapy sessions are convenient and feasible. Moreover, finding a therapist who offers appointments at times that suit your daily routine enhances the consistency and effectiveness of therapy. Whether you opt for virtual or in-person sessions, selecting a therapeutic setting that aligns with your preferences and logistical needs contributes to a supportive and conducive environment for your mental health journey.

These tips along with other considerations can be helpful in finding the right therapist suited for you. Much like dating, finding a connection in therapy can be a challenge and can take some trial and error. However, finding the right match is a part of the therapeutic process and it can be both beautiful and an opportunity to learn what is right for you. Please do not be discouraged if the first therapist you meet with does not end up being the right fit; the right therapist is out there and waiting for you.

Thrive Wellness has a multitude of therapists with unique specializations, modalities, and personal traits so that you can find the right one for you! Learn more about the team or reach out to get started with one of our compassionate therapists.

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Family Inclusive Recovery: Healing Together in Eating Disorder and OCD Treatment

December 2, 2025

Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.

Introducing Thrive's Greenhouse - Opening 2026

November 14, 2025

The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again.

Join Us in Giving Back: Thrive’s 2025 Holiday Giving Tree

November 11, 2025

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? Thrive Wellness is excited to continue our 6th Annual Giving Tree Program in collaboration with Perenn Bakery this winter. This year, Thrive Wellness Reno and Perenn Bakery are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northern Nevada. The organization supports families with children receiving treatment at area hospitals, providing comfort, hope, and a home-away-from-home during challenging times. Ronald McDonald House Charities offers essential services, removes barriers, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare the most. How It Works Simply take one (or a few) tags from the Giving Tree, each listing an item you can purchase and donate for residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Then, drop off your item(s) at one of our designated donation locations by Friday, December 19. Items Needed: Restaurant gift cards Walmart or Target gift cards Games, puzzles, and coloring books Toys (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego sets, craft sets, magnet blocks, baby dolls, action figures, journals, infant toys, etc.) Children's books (picture, chapter, and graphic novels) Toiletry sets (for adults) Lotion/self-care gift sets (for adults) Sweatshirts/hoodies (adults, XS-XXL) Scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, pajamas (all sizes) Infant diapers, onesies, and baby bottles Bulk individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.) Please ensure all donations are new, in original packaging, and unwrapped. Donation Drop-Off Locations Please deliver donations by Friday, December 19, to one of the following sites: Thrive Wellness 201 W Liberty St., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 Perenn Grocery 7600 Rancharrah Pkwy, Suite 130, Reno, NV 89511 The first 50 people to return their donations will receive a complimentary ornament gift! Why We Give Back Through our Giving Tree program, we’re honoring one of our core values at Thrive Wellness: staying rooted in community. This annual tradition allows us to give back to those who need support most during the holiday season. We invite you to join us by taking a tag at any Thrive or Perenn location and helping spread kindness throughout our community. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by supporting local families with thoughtful, heartfelt donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support. Thank you for helping us make a difference!