How To Email A Therapist For The First Time

Many people find themselves in need of assistance but often hesitate or feel anxious about seeking help when it’s most crucial.

Reaching out to a therapist can be daunting or even embarrassing, yet their role is to support you.

One less intimidating approach to contacting a therapist for the first time is via email, which removes the stress of voice communication and offers a more confidential way to seek help.

This guide will outline steps for crafting and sending an introductory email to a therapist and discuss the importance of taking this step.

Problems Reaching Out

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A significant hurdle in both public and mental health is the reluctance to pursue initial consultations. This hesitation can stem from fear, shame, or uncertainty about articulating the problem.

Historically, this reluctance or fear has led to escalated issues, and tragically, some have suffered severe consequences or even lost their lives due to not seeking help.

Feeling apprehensive about discussing personal issues with a therapist is natural. Therapy involves delving into deeply personal and private aspects of one’s life.

Generally, people are uncomfortable sharing their feelings, especially admitting to a mental health professional that they’re in crisis.

Unfortunately, therapy has become a taboo subject and there is a stigma to asking for help – but trust us when we say that it really should not be, and you should always ask for help when you need, it even therapists seek help.

Sometimes too, reluctance can be caused by financial situations.

Health insurance might not cover these types of therapy but again, you should always reach out to a potential therapist and explain the situation – they can help you or provide you with advice that should aid you.

Mental health issues should not be taken lightly, not by you or by anyone else.

Remember, you matter and most mental health professionals will be able to guide you with the mental health treatment that you require or the advice that you’ll need.

Working Up To An Email

Some mental health issues make it much more difficult to seek out treatment, and it can take some working up to it before you even type the first word.

Here’s what you should do before you send the email:

Research Therapists

Before you do anything, you should research some therapists that offer treatment that you think you need.

If you’re unsure, consider emailing your doctor first.

After you know who you’re going to contact, ensure you’ve written down or made a note of their email address, and you now will be ready to start working your way up to writing your initial email.

Plan A Date That Suits You

One great way to plan contacting a therapist is to choose a date and time that suits you.

Often, our hectic lives mean that we do not have the psychological strength to even reach out for help after a hard day – so try to plan a day when you don’t have a lot to do.

If you’ve noticed you have more strength and mental support at certain times of the day or after certain events, try to plan your email typing on or after these times.

This should make things much easier and having a plan will almost “force” you to do what you need to do.

Take A Breath, Calm Down

Calm down and remember that this is the best thing you can do. There’s no shame in asking for help, and it could save your life.

Before you write your email, make yourself a calming drink like a hot cup of tea or coffee and set up the room to make it more psychologically calming.

Ask A Friend Or Family Member For Support

Sometimes, we simply can’t write our problems down, and we need someone there to help us through it.

That’s totally fine! If you can, reach out to a close friend or family member that can help you put your feelings into words and help you type out your email.

It’s a good idea to draft what you want to say on paper before you digitally write them down.

If you need your friend to write it for you, all you have to do is ask.

Having someone there can make the situation much more manageable, if that’s an option for you.

How To Write The Email

Now it’s time to write the email. Here’s a great format for you to do this.

Initial Contact

Ensure you know exactly who you’re writing to and refer to them with their correct title of Doctor, Mr, Mrs etc.

Start off by writing something like “Dear Doctor X” and then introduce yourself to them. Always remember that they’re here to help you.

Explain Briefly Why You’re Writing

This is where you’ll be asking for their services. Briefly explain why you’re contacting them.

Something like “I have been experiencing some difficulties recently, and I was hoping to use your services”.

Remember, sometimes a practice will have a contact address for the office and the doctor, so if you wish to speak to the therapist directly, check the contact details.