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| | Welcome to your very first edition of Thinking Aloud, Healthline and Optum Now's new anxiety and depression newsletter!
If you are living with one or both of these mental health conditions, know that you're not alone — even if it may feel that way sometimes. You're among millions of people across the globe, including many people here on our team.
Every Monday, you'll receive tips, product recommendations, and support for your mental health journey. Our team's personal experiences with therapy, coping skills, and related anxiety and depression topics will hopefully help you feel seen and heard.
Today, we're talking about "good" therapists and what that means to us. We encourage you to reflect on this too, as well as the future thought-starters we plan to share each week.
Thanks for being here,
The editors of Healthline and Optum Now |  | | |
| Q | | How do you define a "good" therapist? | | | | A | | "When I think of a 'good' therapist, I'm grateful to say that my current therapist comes to mind. She's kind, reliable, and responsive. I feel comfortable asking her questions or sharing whatever info I want or need without judgment. She's actively engaged during our sessions. She's not afraid to (gently) call out when I'm thinking or behaving irrationally. She's knowledgeable yet always continuing her education. She's accommodating when I need an extra session or if I need to reschedule. And she isn't just in it for the money — I feel like she genuinely cares about me and acts like a cheerleader and supporter through all of my ups and downs." — Morgan Mandriota, newsletter editor
"A few things make up a good therapist for me: Someone who listens carefully and really hears your concerns. Someone who calls out unhelpful thought patterns and offers helpful reframes and considerations. Someone who challenges you to examine yourself in new ways and stick through the therapeutic process even when things get uncomfy. And finally, someone who builds you up and makes you feel like they're in your corner rooting for you." — Heidi Pashman, senior social media and community manager
"My therapist is warm and kind, and asks questions to help understand my feelings. Sometimes our sessions go in directions that I don't expect, based on her responses and further questions. The unexpected realizations that these prompt are super helpful and allow me to further think and journal on my own after our session. I trust her and know that she's got my best interest in mind; she helps me with small, easy changes that I can make to improve my symptoms. Knowing that she is objective, but also a person who cares for my well-being, supports me as I manage my symptoms." — Christina Snyder, engagement editor
"To me, a good therapist remembers the details — your family's names, some of your experiences, or other minutiae to hold a good rapport. They keep their opinions and judgment (and, personally, religion — unless you're looking for that) out of therapy. They speak to your inner child as much as they speak to your adult self. They offer a safe space where all thoughts are welcome. They give homework. They don't only listen, they also offer guidance for reframing thoughts and beliefs. They remind you of your values and how to live by them." — Ren Dias, editor
"A good therapist is someone who truly listens and responds thoughtfully. It's crucial to have a therapist who listens, not to react but to understand and not make assumptions about the experience. Someone who will call out when my thoughts or actions are not conducive to progress and help me develop better coping methods. What works for me is having a therapist willing to practice techniques in session (not just give me videos and articles for self-help) and being there for accountability by asking me how the strategies worked in real-life situations." — Heidi Smith, coaching operations manager | | | | | | | Responses have been edited for clarity.
If you'd like to request a specific topic, offer feedback, or chime in with your answers to our weekly questions, feel free to email us at newsletters@healthline.com. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting you on the path to mental well-being. | | | |
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| TRY THIS | | Consider Magnesium | | Not getting enough magnesium might raise your risk of depression. Foods like almonds and cashews have magnesium, or you can ask a doctor about supplements. | | | | | |
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