Feeling Stuck Choosing a Therapist?

Looking for a therapist in Nashville can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack—especially when you're already feeling anxious, down, overwhelmed, or burned out. You might be scrolling through dozens of websites, profiles, and online therapy directories wondering, How am I supposed to pick the right person?

If you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or the lingering effects of trauma on your nervous system, (or anything else for that matter) the search can feel especially personal, more complicated than it should be—and vulnerable. You want to feel better, but the process of getting there feels hard to even begin. And scrolling profiles trying to find a magical fit is utterly exhausting.

The truth is: finding a therapist is a big decision. And it’s okay if it takes some time. Your mental peace and wellbeing is worth the effort. And you CAN find the right fit with some thoughtful steps.

Here are a few helpful things to keep in mind as you continue your search:

1. Identify what you're needing support for.

Are you noticing more anxiety lately? Trouble focusing? Has restful sleep evaded you? Old trauma surfacing in new ways? Getting clear on what you're struggling with can help you filter through the many therapists in Nashville and find someone who has experience in the areas that matter to you.

For example, if trauma is part of your story, you might want to look for someone who offers trauma-informed care or specific approaches like EMDR therapy, brainspotting, or other trauma-informed modalities here in Nashville—methods proven to help people process traumatic memories in a gentle, structured way.

2. Trust your gut when reading therapist bios.

It’s not all about credentials—though these do matter. As you read through websites or Psychology Today profiles, notice how you feel. Do you feel confused, overwhelmed…or maybe a little more hopeful? A good therapist bio should help you feel seen, not sold to. These bios often read eerily similar. As if you could shuffle headshots and bios and it almost wouldn't matter the end result. But therapists pick the words in their bios because they like those descriptions, and want clients that resonate with them as well.

At NCTP, we do this too. Write in a way that reflects how we speak—with clarity, warmth, and honesty. If a therapist’s words feel inviting and connecting, that's a good sign.

We’re also rolling out a Podcast that will host lots of great material, and interviews with the therapists we have on staff if you’re looking to check the vibe before booking a consultation.

3. Schedule (and prepare for) a consultation call.

A short phone or video consult is a great low-pressure way to ask questions and see how you feel in conversation with someone. Many trauma therapists in Nashville (including those at NCTP) offer this for free. We’d be happy to talk for 15-mintues and get a feel if it's a good fit. As an LCSW, I have had nearly countless consultation calls over the years and these are ALWAYS a great opportunity to see if the potential client I am speaking with would be a good fit for me personally, as well as give that potential client the space to experience what therapy with me is going to be like.

You can ask things like:

Have you worked with people who have experienced [your diagnosis / pain]?
What kind of modalities do you use in therapy and why?
Have you helped people like me before?

Remember: therapy is a relationship. It’s totally okay to meet with a few people before deciding who feels right. And as an LCSW, I would certainly encourage you to meet with a few different therapists to really feel it out. This can be exhausting but is, again, absolutely worth every effort. You can and will find the right fit for you.

4. Know that feeling safe and connected matters more than anything else.

Especially for people with trauma histories, your nervous system might take time to settle into trust. Part of your journey will be teaching your system how to feel safe in this new season of life. Trauma, and its healing processing, is not something to push through or “get over.” A good therapist understands that healing happens when you feel emotionally safe, respected, and in control of your own process.

If a therapist makes you feel judged, rushed, or disconnected, they may not be the best fit—and that’s okay. And research supports that the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist is the most impactful factor in healing.

Finding support doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel possible.

At the Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy, we work with all kinds of folks who are tired of holding it together, alone. Whether you’re navigating the weight of anxiety, ADHD, relationship conflicts, the fog of depression, or the lasting effects of trauma, we’re here to offer trauma-informed care that honors your pace and your story.

Feeling Stuck Choosing a Therapist in Nashville? Here’s How to Start.