The "And Still We Rise" Podcast (formally known as The Ego Project), is hosted by mental health therapist and group practice owner, Cristine Seidell. It is a space where look deeper into our limiting beliefs or behavioral patterns, seek to understand our authentic self and find new and exciting ways to celebrate the radiance we are meant to bring into the word. Through unscripted and unedited conversations with thought-leaders, therapists, spiritualists, and creatives, And Still We Rise explores how childhood wounding and intentional healing impacts our lives.
Picking a therapist can feel like a high-stakes decision, especially when it is your child and you are handing them off behind a closed door. We sit down with Becca Buice, a therapist at Rise Therapy Center who works with children, teens, and adults, to talk about what “therapist fit” really means and why the therapeutic relationship is often the biggest predictor of change. If you have ever thought, “therapy didn’t work for us,” this conversation offers a different possibility: maybe the match was wrong.
We walk through how to get clear on your goals before you schedule, how a therapist’s specialties and modalities matter (CBT, trauma-focused CBT, play therapy, and creative approaches), and why developmental fit is crucial when you are seeking child therapy for anxiety or emotional regulation. We also share concrete ways to research providers using websites, Psychology Today profiles, videos, and even social media so you can hear a therapist’s voice and get a feel for their style. For kids, previewing the office and seeing a friendly face ahead of time can lower anxiety and make the first visit feel less intimidating.
We also name the real-world barriers that shape access to counseling, including transportation, scheduling, affordability, and not knowing what options exist. You will hear why it is okay to ask questions, request flexibility like virtual therapy when appropriate, and even ask for referrals if a provider is not the best fit. If you want therapy to feel safer, more effective, and more sustainable for your family, this is your roadmap.
Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this episode with someone searching for a therapist, and leave a review if it helps. What is the number one thing you need to feel confident before booking a first session?
To learn more about Becca, you can find her here:
becca@risetherapycenter.com
Thank you for tuning into And Still WE Rise! If you would like to learn more about me or the work our practice is doing, feel free to follow us on Instagram at:
@atltherapygirl and @risetherapycenter
Or check us out at www.risetherapycenter.com
Disclaimer: And Still We Rise is meant to provide perspective and meaningful conversations around mental health topics. It is not meant to provide specific therapeutic advise to individuals. If anything in these podcasts resonates, ASWR recommends consulting with your individual therapist or seeking a referral from your primary care physician.
Hello and welcome back to Un Still We Rise. I'm your host, Christine Seidel, and today we have therapist Becca Bice joining us today. She's one of our therapists here at Rise Therapy Center. So welcome, Becca.
SPEAKER_01
Hi, thank you. I'm so excited.
SPEAKER_00
Awesome. We're so excited to have you on here. To begin, I just want to read a little bit of your bio so listeners and watchers can just have a better understanding of who you are and the work that you do. So Becca Bice is a therapist at RISE Therapy Center. She works with children and teens, and she also supports adults. She has experience working with a wide range of needs, abilities, and ages, and she approaches each person with care, curiosity, and respect to their unique story. She uses a variety of evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused CBT, and other therapy techniques such as play therapy and creative modalities. These approaches allow her to meet each individual where they are developmentally, emotionally, and it makes sessions engaging, supportive, and effective. So welcome, Becca. We're so excited to have you.
SPEAKER_01
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, and I think with that bio, it's perfect for us to be talking about, you know, our topic today, which is, you know, finding the right fit
in therapy. Um, you know, specifically for you. I mean, you're very uh attuned to your clients and and what modalities and what techniques are really best suited for them. So I'm so excited for you to be, you know, our expert today in discussing, you know, finding the right fit. So thank you for being with us today, and I'm looking forward to our conversation. So to get started, let's talk about like why is finding the right fit important?
SPEAKER_01
Yes. So finding the right fit, this is a topic that has really stood out to me in the past years as a counselor because many times I get families that come in and they voice to me that in the past it's just been really hard to find that person that they feel like meets their needs but also connects well with the child. Um, so just seeing my families that have struggled with that in the past, I I thought this would be a perfect time to get to talk about it and also just let people kind of see that it's okay to take time to find that right fit. Because that's really how the most progress takes place is when you find that combatible um person.
SPEAKER_00
Absolutely. And and you know, in previous conversations on the podcast, we've actually talked about how like the therapeutic relationship is really like the indicator of change, you know, and so much of that is you know, somebody feeling comfortable in a relationship and feeling comfortable with the way that the therapist is is showing up and that you know they know how to to meet that client's needs and what they're presenting with. So, you know, how does how does somebody start finding and seeking compatibility with a therapist?
Yeah, that is a great question. So I think really for families, first they need an understanding of what are they looking for? Like why do they want to do counseling, whether it's for the parents, for the child, whoever it might be, getting an understanding of like what are their goals, what are their personal goals for this. And once they kind of have an idea of what they're wanting to really focus on in counseling, I think that really helps to um get an understanding of like what type of counseling would be most beneficial and really effective for their goals. So families just getting an understanding of it and then also talking with your the other family members or even the child if it's appropriate to see like what is it that they might want in a counselor because it could be someone who's done counseling before and they have a better idea of you know what it is that they really benefited from or things that they did not like. So if it's appropriate, involving the child and kind of finding that that person that works best for the situation.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I think that's a really important piece is like you know, really recognizing what are the goals, like what is it that we really do want to focus on, and then looking for providers that specifically speak to that, you know, compatibility is so much about like really recognizing that, you know, if you're wanting to work on, you know, emotional regulation with a five-year-old, probably somebody who works with teens and adults is going to be incompatible with you know that child's presenting concerns. So really being, you know, mindful of looking for that matching of, you know, we may not be able to start with everything, but we can start with some things that are really important and looking for where that matches. Um, what are some ways you you speak a lot about working with kids because that's your specialty, right? So, you know, there's already you know some barriers to that, but what are some things parents can look for or where can they look when they're seeking compatibility and looking for that matching?
Yeah, um so something that I think has been really helpful is just going online and you can easily look at psychology today or um different counseling websites to see providers, and that gives you a little insight about like what do they look like, what's there's most likely a video that goes along with it to show you a little of their personality. And um, that's the great thing about Rise is that we have not only a lot of different pictures, we have our bio, and then we have a video that goes along with it. And just getting to talk to the intake coordinator here to see really who would be the best fit is really helpful for families. I also think social media plays a really important part in this as well, especially with today's kind of that social media um focus really for teens and even parents use it too, you know. So using that as a way to um look into different providers, you know, like that's a big part about Rise, is our social media platform, and that's how we can really meet families where they are.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I think that's I think it's important for people who are seeking care, whether for themselves or a family member, that there are a lot of resources and platforms out there that you can um hear the voice of the therapist that you're looking to explore some work with. I can't tell you how many clients we've actually, you know, in my own intakes have been like, well, I listened to a couple of your podcasts or I saw the social media posts and it really like made me think about my own inner child, and it's like, wow, like the that voice is already, that relationship is actually already being established before, you know, uh clients walk in the room. So it's it's really um beneficial for clients or family members to seek out those voices to really hear like the the lens that I think providers use. Um what about like, do you think it's appropriate for parents to maybe show some of those videos to their children and be like, you know, like this would be, you know, your talking friend or your feelings friend, or and letting that child kind of uh have some agency and autonomy or curiosity around the providers.
SPEAKER_01
Yes, I love that. I was actually just about to mention that because I, as you know, I do work with children. So a lot of my um children they come in and they they're really a lot of them have been here for anxiety recently. So the fact that um some of the families they've been able to look at my profile and the par the parents and the kids have gotten in to see like what does Miss Becca look like? Oh, I want to see the video of her. It shows me the office that we'll be in. You know, I have seen that that has been so comforting for children, especially when they're coming into a new office, uh, a new place. And if they haven't done counseling before, it's it can be a really intimidating thing. So for them to know, like, oh, this is what they might look like, or this is maybe what the office space is set up to. Um, and they can also see like what are the different toys, you know. So a lot of my um clients have seen, like, oh, there's a stuffed animal in the back of Miss Becca's video, and then they're excited to see the stuffed animal when they get here. So it's little things like that that help them be excited about starting counseling because it can be it can be intimidating.
SPEAKER_00
It can be, and uh what a great point. Like, not only just you as a person, your voice, like what you look like, but also the space that they will be in, you know. I mean, like I think especially for children when you talk about intimidation, you know, they don't really know what that means always to go to like therapy or to a counselor, and also for parents. I mean, you know, to a large extent, they're handing their child over and the door closes, you know, and there is a vulnerability like that. So I love you bringing up like having some video or photos of your space so that they can understand what it looks like and what to expect is one way to like lessen that barrier of anxiety as they step into that space. So, um, and I think that's I think it's really important. I think RISE does a really good job of trying to put that out there for you know, clients, current clients, potential clients, people just seeking therapy, like what can be a warm, inviting space, even if it's not here, like what they can look for, what they can um seek. And it's okay to take that time to be like, this may not be the right, the best fit, or you know, I might need to see the office before I am able to do a full session, um, like giving them giving themselves permission to seek more information before, you know, finalizing like this is who I'm gonna go into do work with.
So um, so what are you know what are some barriers? I mean, like compatibility in a perfect world would be, you know, ideal. Like if we could find the therapist, if we could find, you know, the helper, the healer that we really feel called to work with, um, you know, that's not always the case. You know, we we may not always have the means, resources, accessibility. So what are what are some of the barriers um that we have to take into consideration when we're looking for that fit?
SPEAKER_01
Yeah, um, that's a really great question. So when it comes to accessibility, I really think about um just families having the knowledge and knowing like what all is out there. Uh again, based off of my own experiences working with so many families in the past, um, when they come and see me, they're like, Oh, I didn't know this was an option. I didn't know we could do play therapy, but also get that parent support hand in hand, or um just not knowing everything that's out there. And I think that's a really big one because again, that's why social media is such a beautiful thing because it's a way that we can put our voices out there and show people that maybe traditional top therapy is not not the best for you and your circumstances, but here's so many different options um and services that we can provide. I think that's a really big one. Um yeah, and I also think about some other barriers such as transportation, that is a huge one. Um, and allowing like virtual clients or virtual sessions to really meet families where they are, whether they just can't make it in person that week, or maybe for long term, they just need to do virtual because it's more uh accommodating for their schedule. Of course, you have to see like is it appropriate for the child and really make that professional um and clinical decision, but allowing that so it's more accessible for families when maybe just come in in person each week is is not realistic for them.
SPEAKER_00
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. And I think you know, even from an affordability standpoint, you know, there there are a lot of um there are a lot of funnels that can be, you know, looked at too. You know, it's not, you know, just because a therapist is private pay doesn't mean that there aren't things in place that help support affordability. You know, I know some therapists um, you know, provide a discounted rate for certain populations that they serve or um can have agreements to be out of network providers, you know, because of what they do. So, you know, I think what I'm hearing you say is, you know, clients or or family members of clients really can start asking the questions. They can seek, you know, more of that information that they are, you know, uh a party to this relationship, you know, it's it's it's not that they just have to show up and take whatever therapist is assigned to them. Um so you know, how how does that relationship kind of play out? Like where when you're looking for the right fit, how does relationship kind of play
Yeah, so when you're thinking about that relationship, it's of course really important for the parents to feel comfortable with the counselor, the clinician that they're working with, because the parent needs to be in agreement and supportive of whatever is taking place in the therapeutic space. And so it comes back to that parent relationship, but also when working with a child, you know, it's understanding that this might be a five-year-old that really, really enjoys creative arts and using that in session to help them conquer and meet the goals that they have.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, and I think that like what you're what I'm hearing you say is like, you know, the relationship is kind of the most important thing. And, you know, by asking questions, by being, you know, proactive and you know, learning about the the therapies and the differences and the voice, you know, the the client and the client's family members get to be and take this active role, right? The therapist isn't this authority that you go and see and like they'll tell you exactly like you're gonna see me and you're gonna do this, that, that they really have a lot of agency in choosing who they work with, and that there are barriers, of course, to being able to see, you know, who they may desire to, but to ask questions to see, you know, if there are other funnels or or um opportunities that provide affordability, provide flexibility with like virtual or um a different cadence. Um and I think I I think I probably know the answer to this question, but I want to ask you like what does that ultimately kind of produce? Like when you have the right fit, what is that ultimately, what's the ultimate benefit in that?
SPEAKER_01
Yeah, when you have the right fit for counseling, that uh it's the foundation of the growth that can take place in counseling. You know, when not only do the parents feel a part of the counseling process, but the children want to come each then or come to each session, then the growth can really take place. And not only is it just meeting the goals, but it's also the family feeling like there's a person that they can come to and talk to and ask those questions that maybe it's a little scary to ask those questions, or maybe even they stop counseling because they have met all their goals, but they know if they need something, they can come back to this provider to um get a little help along the way. And it's not only building that relationship for the here and now, but also in the future, you know, it's letting them know that there is someone that will continue to advocate for them and their family.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I think you know, what I'm hearing you say is like it it helps support progress to be made, and oftentimes like, you know, a little bit more efficiently and effectively when it's the right fit. It's you know, even if if if another provider is more accessible because of resources, you may not be making the progress you can make in as efficient or effective timeframe that you would if the compatibility and the fit is congruent. And you know, when we look at resources and time and money, you know, sometimes, you know, on the front end, you know, paying a little bit more for the right fit actually produces progress and you get you know the results you're looking for with more of the systemic support. You know, I know at RISE we're very particular about how we match clients, you know, even if you know this therapist has that day and time available, but they do not specialize in working with you know that population, we really don't just mash them up together because there's a spot that's open. Because we want to we want to not only like do the work that is going to make progress, but also protect this relationship that the client is gonna have with therapy in general, you know.
SPEAKER_01
Exactly, exactly. Because I think for so many families, they they might have that that bad experience working with the counselor where it seems like they were just matched because of availability. And then that one negative experience can hold them back from seeking help later on down the road. You know, so it's really, really important for providers and businesses to be really intentional and not just look at the kind of business part of it or the availability, you know, it's really getting an idea of what the families need and how can we best serve them.
SPEAKER_00
Yeah, I love that. And I think that's really important for for listeners to hear is is if there
is feedback from a provider that they're not the best fit or you know, the compatibility is not there, that that's you know, something that the provider can also help give referrals, you know, you know, that's part of what our service needs to be is if we can't be that fit, who can we share with that client to be that that fit? Because ultimately we're here to be of service, to be of help. Um, and that, you know, clients can ask those questions, you know, like if you don't have that availability, if you can't do this work, you know, do you have a recommendation of somebody who could? And we love being able to support clients. Um, sometimes I look at our, you know, admin Hannah, and I mean I'm like, this girl's working tirelessly to find, you know, other therapists that can can help this client, even when it's outside of Rise, you know. So I really I like that we serve from that mission. And it's okay for clients to ask for that or potential clients to ask for that.
SPEAKER_01
Yeah, definitely. I think as counselors, it is so important for how we're um just communicating with our families and again letting them ask the questions, you know, reminding them that it's all right. We want them to really, really get an idea if this is the best decision for the child or the family or the season they're in. And if not, then yeah, reminding them that you can help find a better fit, you know. I think oftentimes counselors um might struggle with that a little bit, but it's really important to be able to recognize too that this this may not be the best for this family at this time. Let's find the care that they're needing. Um again, it looks at the counseling relationship and it helps them to really get the provider that can meet them their needs in that spectral life.
SPEAKER_00
I agree, I agree. Well, I think you've given us a lot of you know ideas and and you know insight into how to start that process, how to uh feel empowered to step into you know finding the right fit. Do you feel like there are any questions, any last-minute insights that you want to leave our listeners or viewers with?
SPEAKER_01
Um I would say just for all the families out there that ask the questions. You know, it is so important to just ask them and get a better understanding of um what it is that you're looking for and ask the counselor questions about themselves, you know. But again, look at who's gonna be the best fit for you guys. So don't be afraid to ask.
SPEAKER_00
Absolutely. And I know in grad school, you know, they're like no self-disclosure to therapists, but I I don't subscribe to that. I think it's important that you know our clients, our potential clients know that we are real people too. And, you know, if there are questions that are appropriate, it's it's helpful for us to answer them and you know help disclose a little bit of us as people. And you know, there's a lot of vulnerability stepping into a space, not knowing who that individual is. And, you know, when we look at therapeutic process, the therapeutic progress really is can can this client feel safe enough to be vulnerable to explore that inner world? And you know, we can't be a mystery to them necessarily in that regard.
SPEAKER_01
So yes, I completely agree.
SPEAKER_00
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for your time today. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I have to say, like, if you haven't picked up on it today, like Becca just has a very soothing, you know, warm presence, and you know, she does amazing work with her clients and her families and these
kiddos. So highly recommend if you're looking for compatibility. Becca is a great provider to work with our families and our our kids, and she has such a warm, inviting presence that that in and of itself oftentimes makes some change. So thank you for joining us today, Becca. If you're looking for uh Becca's information, we're gonna link that in our bio, give you some ways that you can connect with her. And as always, we appreciate you listening. Please like, subscribe, follow. That's a way for us to get our message and our mission out there. And we appreciate you watching and listening today. And Becca, thank you so much for joining us as we talk about Therapist Fit.
SPEAKER_01
All right, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00
You're welcome. All right, until next time. Take care.
