Our Proven 3-Step Process to Find the Right Therapist
(Even If You’ve Tried Before)
Finding the right therapist can feel a bit like dating. There’s hope and nerves at the start… followed by disappointment if it doesn’t quite work out. And if you've already tried once or maybe several times only to feel like no one “gets” you, it’s understandable that you might feel like giving up.
It’s not that you’re too complicated, too sensitive, too “stuck,” or too much. It’s very likely you simply haven’t found the right match.
At Lighthouse Therapy Hub, we meet people every week who are trying to find a therapist after previous experiences that left them discouraged, overwhelmed, or disheartened. That’s why we’ve created a clear, compassionate, 3-step process that has helped you find the people you need at the time you need.
I’m going to walk you through it in detail, so whether you’re in crisis, stuck in limbo, or cautiously hopeful, you can take the next step with confidence.
Why Finding the Right Therapist Matters More Than You Think
Let’s start here, because it’s an important truth:
The quality of the therapeutic relationship is the single most important factor in successful therapy.
This isn’t just my personal opinion, it’s backed up by decades of research. A therapist can have all the training and tools in the world, but if you don’t feel safe, seen, and respected with them, progress is going to be hard. And no, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed or are “resistant” it means your nervous system hasn’t felt safe enough to open up.
Our Proven 3-Step Process to Find the Right Therapist
At Lighthouse Therapy Hub, we’ve supported over 150 clients through this exact process, and it’s transformed how they connect with therapy. We call it our 3C Framework: Clarity, Connection, Commitment.
Whether you’re looking for help with anxiety, burnout, ADHD, trauma, relationships, or just feeling lost, you can use this same process to find the therapist who’s right for you.
Step 1: Clarity – Know What You Need (And What You Don’t)
Most people begin therapy with one of two mindsets:
“I just need someone to talk to.”
“I have no idea what I’m looking for, but this pain needs to stop.”
That’s okay. You don’t need to have everything figured out. But having some gentle clarity about what you’re hoping for in therapy can help you filter out what may or may not work for you
Questions We Help You Explore:
What are you really seeking help with right now?
What has made therapy hard or unhelpful in the past?
What kind of support do you respond best to: gentle encouragement, practical tools, open listening?
Do you prefer online or in-person sessions?
Do you want someone who works with a particular therapy model (like creative arts therapy, movement therapy or drama therapy)?
You don’t need to write an essay, but getting even 20% clearer on your needs can increase your chances of a good match by over 50%.
That’s why at Lighthouse, we guide new clients through a short, non-clinical, phone call with our Admin. That asks the right questions, without overwhelming you. It’s designed to honour your uniqueness, not squeeze you into a checkbox.
“But what if I don’t know what I need?”
That’s where we come in. Clarity doesn’t mean certainty. Even saying, “I just know I can’t carry this alone anymore,” is enough to begin. Our admin wll guide you into finding a potential match that works for you.
Step 2: Connection – Find a Therapist Who Feels Like a Safe Fit
This is where most people get stuck. You finally work up the courage to reach out… only to be met with long waitlists, clinical jargon, or a mismatch that leaves you feeling even worse.
We do things differently.
Here’s What Our Connection Step Looks Like:
Matching Done by a Human, Not an Algorithm
After your phone call with the admin, we personally review your information and look at you, not just your symptoms. We match you with one of our therapists based on style, experience, and your preferences. Think of it as conscious matchmaking for therapy.Meet & Greet – Free 15-Minute Video or Phone Chat
Before booking a full session, we offer a no-pressure, 20-minute chat with the therapist we think might be right for you. This is your chance to feel out the vibe and ask any questions.Feedback Loop
Didn’t quite click with the first match? That’s okay! We welcome honest feedback and will happily rematch you if needed. We see this as part of the process.
What Makes a Therapist a Safe Fit?
You feel emotionally safe, not judged.
You can imagine gradually opening up with them.
You feel respected as a whole person, not just a diagnosis or symptoms.
You feel like they’re truly with you, not “above” you.
We’ve seen people move from years of distrust in therapy to finally feeling like someone “gets it” because we prioritise real connection.
Stories of Hope:
To protect privacy, we’ve changed names and some details, but these are real journeys:
Emma, who’d tried five different therapists and nearly given up, told us after her second session:
“This is the first time I’ve felt like someone actually listens and isn’t trying to fix me.”
That’s what the Connection step is about.
Rose, I had given up finding support. When out of desperation, I went searching for help, I discovered Lighthouse Therapy Hub. At first, I was too scared to reach out. In case they couldn’t help me. After a particularly challenging holiday from school. I decided I had nothing to lose. Now, I have the support I need to be the Mum I can be. My son also has the support he needs too. Thank you so much for never giving up on me.
Step 3: Commitment – Start at Your Own Pace (But Don’t Ghost Yourself)
The final step is commitment—but not in the way most people think.
This isn’t about forcing yourself into weekly sessions forever. It’s about making a commitment to yourself that your wellbeing matters. That you deserve support. That healing is possible.
And then, taking one step forward.
We Help You:
Co-create a gentle plan: Together with your therapist, you’ll shape what support looks like—weekly sessions, every other week, short-term or open-ended.
Start with a “soft entry”: Your first few sessions are exploratory. There’s no pressure to share your life story in session one.
Work at your speed: Some clients start fast, others need time to build trust. There’s no rush.
💬 Gentle Reminder:
Commitment doesn’t mean you have to feel 100% ready. It just means you’re willing to show up for yourself, even when it’s hard.
What If You’ve Tried Before and Still Feel Stuck?
:
Healing isn’t linear, and finding the right therapist isn’t always easy but it is worth it.
In fact, many of our clients started off saying things like:
“I don’t think therapy works for me.”
“I’ve had bad experiences before.”
“I’m too broken.”
“No one else can help us.”
And now? They’re regulating their anxiety, building better boundaries, healing from trauma, and rediscovering who they are.
Why This Process Works (Even If Nothing Else Has)
Here’s why our 3-step process is different:
Human-first
We don’t funnel you through endless waitlists or make you explain your pain five times to strangers. You matter. Your story matters. Your time matters.
Compassion-led, not condition-led
We care about what’s underneath. We believe people heal through relationships.
Therapist culture that prioritises YOU
Our therapists are selected not just for qualifications, but for warmth, humility, and emotional presence. We support them, so they can show up fully for you.
What Clients Are Saying
To protect privacy, we’ve changed names and some details, but these are real journeys:
“I’ve been to therapy before, but this feels completely different. I feel safe here.”
— Sadie, 33
“I thought I had to hit rock bottom before getting help. Now I wish I’d reached out sooner.”
— Sarah, 27
“I finally feel like I’m not alone, someone can help me and my family.”
— Jamie, 41
Ready to Begin? Here’s What to Do Next
Taking the first step can be hard, especially if therapy hasn’t worked out before. That’s why we make it simple.
Start Here:
Visit our website → www.lighthousetherapyhub.co.uk
Click on any of the “Book free call now” or “Get Started” buttons and join up to JaneApp.
You’ll then be able to book your free consultation call with anyone of our therapists.
Alternatively phone our admin team on 07858315242.
From there, you can begin to feel it out, with no pressure or obligation.
Final Words from Me to You
It takes courage to hope again. To reach out. To risk being seen.
But I believe, with all my heart, that the right therapeutic relationship can change everything.
You can find a therapist who gets you.
You can feel better.
And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
We're here, whenever you're ready.