Is Therapy Right for me?
Is Therapy Right for Me? | Chicago Male Therapist Answers Your Questions
One of the most common questions I hear as a male therapist in Chicago is: “How do I know if therapy is right for me?”
It usually comes from people who have never done therapy before—or from people who tried it once, didn’t get much out of it, and wonder if it’s even worth trying again.
The First Question: Are You Open to Change?
Here’s how I think about it. The first and most important question is: are you open to change? At Modern Therapy Alliance in Chicago, therapy works best when there’s at least some part of you that’s looking for things to be different. One of the hardest dynamics in therapy is when someone isn’t seeking change at all but only wants validation for staying exactly where they are. It’s not that we can’t hold space and support you—it’s just that therapy is an investment of your time, money, and emotional energy. You deserve to get something meaningful out of it.
How we Think About Goals
Insurance companies make us write down goals for every client, but I think about goals a little differently. To me, the root of therapy is the gap between your values and your behavior. Sometimes that behavior is external—like avoiding conflict or repeating unhealthy relationship patterns. Sometimes it’s internal—like the racing thoughts you can’t seem to turn off. When there’s a disconnect between what matters to you and how you’re actually living, that’s where our Chicago practice can help.
Where You Might Notice the Gap
You might notice this gap if you feel weighed down by the baggage of your past. Maybe you find yourself overreacting in situations and can’t figure out why. Maybe you keep asking your friends or partner for advice but their well-meaning responses don’t seem to solve the problem. Often, what therapy offers is the counterintuitive explanation—the thing you wouldn’t see on your own or hear from barstool conversations with friends. As a male therapist, I often find that these unseen patterns are what bring clients the biggest “aha” moments once they’re uncovered.
Therapy During Transitions
Therapy is also a good fit if you’re in the middle of a transition. A new job, the end of a relationship, becoming a parent, or simply moving into a new stage of life—these are times when people often feel unsteady. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy in Chicago. You just need to want things to feel clearer, steadier, or more aligned with who you want to be.
What Therapy Looks Like Here
I want to be transparent: therapy doesn’t mean you come in, talk for an hour while I sit quietly, and then leave with a bill. That’s the stereotype you may have seen on TV, but that’s not how it works here. At Modern Therapy Alliance, therapy is a conversation. We’ll talk directly about what’s going on, explore the patterns that might be holding you back, and make a plan for moving forward. And if it turns out we’re not the right fit for you, I’ll be honest about that and help you find someone who is.
So, Is Therapy Right for You?
So, how do you know if therapy is right for you? If you feel stuck, weighed down, or ready for something to shift—even if you don’t know exactly how—therapy is worth exploring.
Finding the Right Therapist in Chicago
Many people wonder not just if therapy is right for them, but if they need a specific type of therapist. Some clients specifically seek a male therapist in Chicago for personal preference, comfort, or wanting a particular perspective. Others prioritize finding a therapist who specializes in their specific issues—whether that’s couples counseling, anxiety, ADHD, or life transitions.
What matters most is finding a therapist whose approach resonates with you and who has experience with what you’re facing.
Ready to Begin?
The best way to know if therapy is right for you is to have a conversation. Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with our Chicago male or fmale therapists to discuss your concerns, learn about our approach, and determine if working together makes sense.