So you want to find a therapist…

Hi friends! You know how your Gen Z cousin can wear two differently colored socks on purpose and pull it off? Well, it turns out when a millennial does it…your manager puts a “just checking in” meeting on your calendar. Not that this is from personal experience or anything.

Today’s tunes: I’ve had Khalid’s “Talk” in my head for the past three days and I must say, it’s pretty fitting for today’s topic…

P.S. We’re still collecting classroom wish lists! If you’re an educator, drop your wish list here so we can help spread the word in hopes of granting some wishes this school year!

—Rod

Is Therapy All It’s Cracked up to Be?

 question 
I’ve never tried therapy, but I’m at the point where I will do anything to be a little less stressed. Is it worth it?—L.

 answer 
Therapy is different for everyone, and it may not work the same for you as it does for your friends. But here at WorkDaze HQ, we feel the same way about therapy as we do about putting poppy seeds on our hot dogs—you won’t know ’til you try.

Therapy has impacted me in three major ways:

1. It gives me the tools and resources I need to improve my relationship with myself and others.

2. It has opened my eyes to different perspectives.

3. It has allowed me to just feel all the feelings without guilt or reservations.

So if I were you? I’d absolutely give it a try if you can. And if you keep reading, we’ll show you how to make the first move!

Got a Q for me to A? Submit yours here.

Therapy Doesn’t Have To Be Scary

As an independent and extremely anxious millennial, I know how hard it can be to ask for help when you need it. But one thing I’ve learned in therapy (see??) is that there’s nothing wrong with doing just that. So I made a call sent a text to my friend/licensed holistic psychologist Dr. Scott Lyons to get some expert advice on starting your therapy ~journey~.

Where to start: Dr. Lyons—who’s a body-based trauma expert and also a best-selling author, podcast host, and creator of The Embody Lab, the largest online learning platform for body-based trauma therapies—suggested you trade scrolling IG for scrolling one of these sites to explore providers who might be a good fit:

• Psychology Today

• Zocdoc

• The Embody Lab

When to start: You don’t need to have a breakdown à la the bridal shower scene in Bridesmaids to benefit from therapy. So when should you consider it?

“When you feel like you don't have the resources or tools to process what's happening on your own or with friends, you need a safe place to develop skills or work through situations and relationship challenges with zero judgment,” said Dr. Lyons.

Some other things therapy is good for?

• Processing what’s holding you back from reaching your goals

• Connecting with people

• Learning to be more efficient

How to start: Dr. Lyons suggests approaching therapy like dating (the group chat debrief is optional here, though). Meet with different therapists to see how you get along—look for qualities that make you feel safe like kindness, attentiveness, good listening skills, and a sense of humor that matches yours.

Ask yourself if you…

1. Vibe with this person

2. Feel a quick sense of connection or the potential for a solid relationship with them

3. Feel unjudged and supported

If the answer is no, Dr. Lyons said, “Dump them!” There are plenty of fish in the sea, or in this instance, therapists in your insurance network.

“However, if you start noticing this is a pattern, you need to work through it with one of them, as you might be reenacting some of your relationship patterns with your therapist,” Dr. Lyons said. Duly noted.

Once you find the therapist for you? Set some simple, attainable goals by thinking about 1) what you want to be different in your life and 2) what you want more of.

Things To Send Your Work Besties

…while you start researching therapists.

The next time your imposter syndrome sneaks up on you, put this on! I’m not not crying over an animated video?? Shoutout to Stanford Medicine for letting us know we’re not alone.

Nothing screams “I’m from Chicago” more than my obsession with Italian beef. So it’s sort of like the pinnacle of my career to share this: My collab with the world famous Al’s Beef is now on the menu! Pinch me. Get the “Hot Rod” with fresh bread, Italian beef, provolone, and giardiniera served HOT. *Chef’s kiss*

Me: I have so much to do! Also me: spends five minutes watching a single rug cleaning TikTok. HOW DO THEY DO IT?!

That’s all for today! Have a great rest of the week, and don’t work too hard! See you back here next week!

IDK WHAT DO I KNOW?! LMAO!

—Rod