If you think you could benefit from working with a therapist, then that’s reason enough to seek one out. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you are facing a mental health crisis. The idea of hitting ‘rock bottom’ is dangerous and misleading because it rationalizes continuing to not seek help because one doesn’t believe they’ve hit it yet, that they’ve gotten to their worst point,” she says. “If you think you need help, get help.”

Waiting too long can also lead to another common mistake: Booking with the very first practitioner you call. If possible, it’s best if you can take your time doing research and chatting with various therapists before deciding which one you want to start seeing regularly.

“Waiting until there is a desperate need for a therapist creates a sense of urgency,” “Focusing on the first appointment, rather than overall fit, could detour progress in the long run.”