Pillar 3: How Therapy Works / E-E-A-T
Can You Switch Therapists? How To Know It’s Time + How To Do It in Nigeria
3 min read
Staying with the wrong therapist helps no one. Including you.
You’ve had 3 sessions.
You sit on the call, nodding, but something feels... off.
Maybe you don’t feel heard.
Maybe they keep giving Bible verses when you asked for coping skills.
Maybe you told them about family pressure and they said "just endure".
Maybe you just don’t click.
Then the thought comes: Can I switch therapists? Is that rude? Will I be starting over?
If you’re asking this, you’re not ungrateful. You’re being responsible for your healing.
Here’s the honest answer: Yes, you can switch therapists. And sometimes, you should.
Why People Stay With The Wrong Therapist
In Nigeria, we stay for 3 main reasons:
1. "It’s rude to leave"
We were taught not to "disrespect elders" or authority. So we endure.
2. "Maybe it’s me"
Therapy is hard. So we assume discomfort = it’s working. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t.
3. "I’ll have to start all over"
Retelling your story feels exhausting. So you stay.
But here’s the truth: A bad therapy fit can make you worse. It can make you distrust therapy entirely.
And you deserve better than that.
5 Signs It’s Time To Switch Therapists
This doesn’t mean your therapist is bad. It means you’re not a fit. Like shoes.
1. You Don’t Feel Safe or Respected
You leave sessions feeling judged, dismissed, or shamed.
Example: You talk about anxiety and they say "you’re just overthinking. Pray more."
2. There’s No Progress After 6-8 Sessions
Therapy isn’t magic, but you should feel something shift. More insight, better tools, less intensity of symptoms of anxiety and depression.
If it’s 2 months later and nothing has changed, talk about it. If nothing changes, it’s okay to go.
3. Your Values or Needs Are Not Being Met
You need help with panic attacks and they only want to talk about your childhood.
You’re Christian and want faith integrated. They shut down spirituality.
You’re dealing with Nigerian family issues and they say "just cut them off".
Fit matters.
4. Boundary Issues
They text you at midnight. They share about their own life too much. They make you feel guilty for missing a session.
Professional boundaries are non-negotiable.
5. The Relationship Feels Wrong
Sometimes you just don’t click. And that’s valid. Therapy requires trust. If you can’t be honest, it won’t work.
The Biggest Myth: "Switching Means I Failed"
Switching does NOT mean:
You’re difficult
Therapy doesn’t work
You wasted money
Switching means: You’re advocating for yourself.
Think of it like a doctor. If the first antibiotic doesn’t work, you don’t keep taking it. You try another one.
Same with therapy.
How To Switch Therapists in Nigeria: Step by Step
Step 1: Try One Honest Conversation First
Sometimes the issue is fixable.
Script: “I’ve noticed I’m struggling with X. Can we adjust how we approach this? I need more tools for anxiety, not just talking.”
A good therapist will adjust. If they get defensive, that’s data.
Step 2: Find Your Next Therapist
Ask for referrals. From friends, your church, or platforms like MindMed
Check their specialty. Trauma? Couples? Anxiety? Cost?
Book a 15-min consult call. Most therapists offer this. Ask: "How do you work? What’s your approach to Nigerian family issues?"
Step 3: How To End With Your Current Therapist
You don’t owe a long explanation. You owe clarity and respect.
Email/WhatsApp Script:
“Hello [Name], I really appreciate the work we’ve done together. After reflection, I think I need a different approach/style. This will be my last session. Thank you for your support."
That’s it, no guilt or many paragraphs.
Step 4: Request Your Notes
You have a right to your treatment summary. Ask:
“Can you please send me a summary of my treatment so I can share it with my new therapist?"
This helps you not "start from zero".
What To Look For in a New Therapist in Nigeria
Ask these 3 questions before you book:
"What is your experience with Nigerian cultural issues?" Family pressure, financial stress, religious guilt. Local context matters.
"What’s your approach?"
CBT? Talk therapy? Faith-based? You should know.
- "What happens between sessions?"
Do they give homework? Resources? This is where real work happens. See what therapists do between sessions
You Deserve a Good Fit
Switching therapists is not betrayal. It’s wisdom.
The right therapist will make you feel: heard, safe, challenged, and hopeful.
The wrong one will make you feel stuck, judged, or invisible.
Don’t settle. Your mental health is too important.
Finding a therapist is like dating. The first one might not be "the one". Keep going until you find someone who helps you grow.
Ready to find a better fit?
Book a Session With MindMed Therapists
You deserve care that actually helps.