How to Find a Therapist in Royal Oak, Michigan

When you live in the thriving city of Royal Oak, you probably want to see a therapist who is nearby. You have a busy lifestyle, work, hobbies, interests, family, friends, and maybe a significant other. You don’t really want to get on 696 to drive 30 minutes somewhere.

Besides, why would you have to? There is an amazing set of therapists available right next door in Ferndale. And when you’re on the go, they also do virtual sessions. That means, you can talk with your therapist from anywhere – although it helps to have some sessions in person so your therapist will get to know you better.

But there’s more that goes into finding the perfect therapist than location. Therapy is a relationship between your therapist and you, and some topics that bring people to therapy can be confusing. How do you really feel about your life or your relationships? What decisions are you having a hard time making? Why do you feel anxious or sad about something? Therapy helps because a good therapist will make things more understandable and manageable. Although a good location is important, how do you decide which therapist to actually see?!

You need someone you feel comfortable with. The decision can take a few sessions to make. If you’re not familiar with how therapy works, here are three questions to ask yourself in your initial appointments.

Is a Therapist Right for Me?
Ask Yourself…

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Are they easy to talk to and connect with? Specifically, does it look like they grasp the main things you care about?

Most therapists talk and listen to people all day, so they are good conversationalists. Even when you are sharing something difficult, a good therapist can help make hard discussions feel like a natural back-and-forth. Conversations are the medium of therapy, but their purpose is to help you change and improve your quality of life. A good therapist should help you understand how you see your challenges and your role in them, so that you can change patterns that aren’t working or are getting in the way of your goals.



Can your therapist provide a useful or new perspective?

Your therapist should be able to help you tune into your own motivations and behaviors. We all have a personal perspective on the world, shaped by who we are and our life experiences; the challenge is our viewpoint is sometimes incomplete, inaccurate or guided by unrealistic or negative expectations, where we can’t create the results we are looking for. A good therapist should help you see your own biases and understand yourself better; you can use that information to make better, healthier decisions to create a better future.

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Do they help you understand yourself in a new way that can help you tackle your goals?

You will know therapy is working when it helps you challenge unhelpful perspectives, manage your emotions better or change decisions that don’t lead you to good results. Therapy is a process. It often means confronting challenges and adjusting how you deal with them. Does your therapist help you put things into practice – with their help, can you translate what happens in the conversation into meaningful change? Everything is incremental. Good therapy should help you figure out what steps you can take to improve your life.

Remember, you’re under no obligation to stay with a therapist who doesn’t work for you. Your therapist isn’t your friend, but they’re not your critic either. Think of them as a neutral advisor. If you’re shopping around for a therapist, keep that analogy in mind.

Your therapist’s job is to get to the underlying causes of your symptoms, whether they’re anxiety, codependency, or something else. Start My Wellness offers multiple therapists that you can see and try to find the right fit. If your therapist isn’t working, there will be another person you can see for your wellness. Since SMW is located near Royal Oak by 696 and I-75, it’s convenient to visit us from most of Metro Detroit. Schedule your appointment today to start your wellness journey!

Emily Lunn

2022-06-17

Start My Wellness definitely receives 5 stars. Their staff are incredibly helpful and want you to get the care you need. I did start by seeing Scott, but found him to not be the best fit for me. This can be a potentially uncomfortable situation for someone who already has anxiety on the best of days. Between talking with Laila who I see for medication and WISH I could have her as my actual therapist, and Mike Misiak at the main office, we are all in alignment on what my treatment plan is going forward. I am so impressed with Start My Wellness, which I found through the program my work started, I am going to be doing a full company presentation to talk about my experience and how SMW really does a great job of taking the stigma out of therapy! Thank you to everyone!

Sydney Maus

2022-06-13

I have enjoyed every interaction with Start My Wellness. They are helpful no matter your situation.

Walter Kacher

2022-06-12

The best therapy I could have ever imagined. They finally diagnosed me and gave me the help I always needed. I am forever grateful.

Christopher Smith

2022-06-11

I absolutely love the the people here. Was able to get started right away after getting all the paperwork done. Recommend this place to anyone and everyone

jamie cooley

2022-06-02

I have not been here but I go to the previous employer of Abigail (Platt) Schellhammer… I’m very saddened she is gone. I have seen her last 6 years. She is so professional and personable. I prayed she stayed in family practice in my area. I may just drive to Ferndale🥰Wishing her happiness. Also letting SMW know how lucky they are to have her. I’ve went to her replacement this week and let’s just say she CANNOT be replaced. I left crying after realizing I lost the BEST practitioner I could ask for. UGH!!!! Best of luck to her though she deserve the world.

Dave Shaw

2022-05-02

Been a patient by of Abigail (platt)Schellhammer in Lansing.. Going to miss her very much..my first appointment without her and the new Dr I was scheduled with didn’t show up for my 8:20 appt, I left at 9:30.. made new appt for 11:30 with PA and it’s now 12:20 and still waiting😢I told the MA “I never waited for Abigail”. … which is true, the place went to h*** in a hand basket when she left…SMW sooooo lucky to have Ms. Schellhammer...her old patient -Jamie Cooley😢

Make an Appointment

To get started with Start My Wellness, schedule an appointment online or call 248-514-4955. During the scheduling process, we will ask questions to match you with the therapist who will best meet your needs including service type, emotional symptoms and availability.

Call (248) 514-4955

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Schedule Appointment Online

Therapy Services in Royal Oak, MI

At Start My Wellness, we connect patients in Royal Oak, MI with high-quality therapists and counselors devoted to helping people redesign their mindsets so they can live better lives.