Regional Differences Among U.S. Therapists

Regional Differences Among U.S. Therapists

As a result of the pandemic, more people than ever before have had access to a variety of telehealth services. This has helped to open the door for folks interested in trying out therapy without the time commitment of commuting to and from appointments each week, as therapists can be accessed virtually using platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts. All of this means that you have a lot more choice when it comes to receiving therapy; however, if you decide to pick a therapist online, does location matter?

While it might seem like any therapist is a good therapist, in actuality, you may want to consider location if you’re weighing the pros and cons of an in-state or out-of-state therapy option. While some of the considerations to keep in mind are purely practical, others are a bit more nuanced. Keep the following ideas in mind as you think about which option makes the most sense to you.

Does a different region open up identity-specific options?

Sometimes, it’s helpful to have a therapist whose identity matches your own. For example, if you’re a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, it can be helpful if your therapist has a similar background or is specialized in handling identity-related issues. While there’s nothing wrong with a straight, cis therapist, per se, it’s understandable that you may feel more comfortable speaking to another member of your community, especially if you’re genderqueer or trans.

The same can be said for racial or gender identities if you plan on working out some of your racist or misogynist tendencies with your therapist. Ultimately, it’s important to find a therapist you can be comfortable around, and sometimes looking at major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicago can offer you a broader array of mental health professionals to choose from.

Does the region you live in play a role in your needing to speak with a therapist?

Every city has its own pros and cons, and if you’ve been living through the challenging time of COVID-19 especially, you may find that someone who understands what your region has been going through as it faces such a major disease can speak better to your individual needs than someone in a different region. Sometimes, relationship issues are exacerbated because of the pace of a certain city, too, so having a counselor or therapist who can help you make sense of recent events in your city and your personal life can be a particular advantage for some patients.

That sort of clarity can’t be found if you pick just any old clinic, which is why New York therapy may be much more appropriate for you if you’re living in the Big Apple rather than the Windy City. While this can be tricky if you really like your existing therapist and are moving or going through one of many other kinds of life transitions, many people find that having a therapist or counselor in the same city as them comes with some important knowledge. This can ultimately lead to a more holistic approach to therapy.

Are you interested in attending in-person sessions, too?

While video sessions are helpful for some therapy patients, they may not be the way you want to conduct your sessions long-term. In some situations, you may feel like your personal growth and full potential may be better reached if you focus on in-person sessions and not just virtual therapy meetings. If that’s the case, then picking a therapist in your region may be an important consideration, even if you’re starting out online. This means that when you feel ready to attend sessions in person, you’ll be able to without a major commute.