When Your Therapist Isn’t Helping: Red Flags to Watch For

How do you know when it's time to move on because your therapist isn't helping? In my mind, there are two big things to look out for. It might be one or the other, or it could be both, that signal it's time to start considering whether your provider is a bad fit for you.

If you're not seeing any progress or improvement despite sticking with the treatment plan, that's a red flag. Therapy should help you feel like you're taking steps forward, even if they're small. If, after several sessions, you don't feel any change or improvement, it might be time to reassess.

If you feel like your provider isn't really listening to you or understanding your needs, that's another sign. A good provider should make you feel understood and supported. This connection is crucial because the research is very clear: when you feel that connection with your provider, you get better faster.

When you go to get help from someone, you should feel like they care and truly understand you. This is not just about how it feels; it's about effectiveness. When you feel connected to your provider, you're more motivated, the juices get flowing, and you're moving forward.

We get momentum in our care, and it just works better. So, if you're not feeling it with your provider—it's time to start considering other options.

If you have any sort of trauma in your past, or if therapy just isn't helping, it might be because there's something stuck in the past. Sometimes, we go through life not realizing what's holding us back.

If you're in that situation and with a provider, even if they say they're trauma-informed, it needs to feel that way to you. If you're not seeing progress, it's important to dig deeper and understand their approach.