Finding a therapist for baldness or hair loss
A question I have received often is how to find a therapist who understands hair loss. Unfortunately, I know very few people beyond myself who explicitly support people with hair loss (I am sure many more exist and I hope to work with organizations like NAAF to build a directory eventually).
Many people also ask me “since you work virtually, can’t you be my therapist no matter which state I live in?”
Unfortunately, the answer is no due to how licensure works to be a therapist. We can only see clients who are physically located in the states we are licensed in. This is why I have loved including coaching as one of my services because it allows for me to work with anyone worldwide! However, coaching has certain limits. You can scroll to the bottom of this page if you are trying to figure out if hair loss coaching might be an alternative that suits your needs.
So, what happens if you are not located in New York (where I am currently licensed) or hair loss coaching is not a right fit for you? Here are my tips for finding a therapist!
Specializations to look for
While you may not be able to find someone who says they directly specialize in hair loss, you likely can find someone who specializes in a combination of symptoms that typically accompany hair loss.
I believe the strongest specialties to look for are anxiety and body image. Typically, those who have experience with body image may have encountered some clients who have discussed hair loss. Anxiety is a largely common symptom of hair loss, even more specifically social anxiety, and that is why this is another great specialty to look for.
I also believe professionals who work with diverse communities, such as chronic illness and LGBTQ+, have a deeper understanding of what it is like to experience a difference such as hair loss.
Take advantage of consultations
The highest indicator of success with therapy is the quality of the relationship with your therapist! I can not stress enough how crucial it is to find someone you genuinely “vibe” with and feel comfortable with. Most therapists offer free 15 minute consultations and I encourage you to take advantage of this! Talk with a few people so that you can feel out who seems like the best match for you. In these consultation calls it is also an opportunity to ask questions such as…
“Have you ever worked with anyone with hair loss”
“What has been your approach when working with someone who has hair loss”
“Do you specialize in anxiety and body image”
or any other questions that will help you determine if they are a fit for you!
Interested in working together?
If you are interested in determining if any of my services may be a fit for you or if you are located in NY and would like to explore therapy, I would be happy to have a consultation with you! You can schedule a time together using this link
