How to Choose a Therapist Who Actually Understands the Pressures of Working in Finance

I spent years in investment banking and private equity at Goldman Sachs before I became a therapist. So when a client in finance tells me they tried therapy once and it didn’t work, I usually already know why: the therapist didn’t get it.

Not the technical stuff — the internal experience. What it’s like to be evaluated constantly. To treat exhaustion as a rounding error. To not be able to say “I’m struggling” out loud without it sounding like a performance review. A lot of good therapists are good at anxiety, good at burnout, good at relationships — and still miss the specific texture of this world.

If you’re in finance and looking for a therapist, here’s what actually matters.

Industry fluency isn’t optional

You shouldn’t have to explain what a Sunday-night deal room feels like, or why a “light” week is still 60 hours, or why leaving before your MD does isn’t really a choice. A therapist who has to have that explained to them will spend your sessions asking clarifying questions instead of doing the work. Ask directly: have you worked with people in finance before, and do you understand the culture, not just the stress?

They should distinguish real pressure from your own added pressure

Finance runs on real, external pressure — deadlines, deal terms, market conditions you don’t control. But most people in the industry are also carrying pressure they’ve added themselves: the belief that slowing down means falling behind, that needing rest is a weakness, that their worth is tied to their output. A good therapist can tell the difference between the two, and won’t just validate “the job is hard” without helping you see what you’re doing to yourself on top of it.

They should take high-functioning anxiety seriously

High-functioning anxiety doesn’t look like falling apart. It looks like getting everything done, hitting every number, and still not being able to sleep, relax, or feel like it’s ever enough. Because it doesn’t cost you visibly, it’s easy for a less experienced therapist — or the person experiencing it — to decide it doesn’t “count.” It counts. If a therapist seems to only take crisis-level symptoms seriously, that’s a sign to look elsewhere.

They should respect your time and your skepticism

People in finance are usually sharp, skeptical of fluff, and short on time. A therapist who understands that will get to the point, explain why an approach makes sense rather than asking you to just trust the process, and treat 45 minutes as something to use well. If the first session feels vague or padded, that’s worth noticing.

What to ask before you commit

A few direct questions in a first consultation tell you a lot: Have you worked with clients in finance, law, or similarly high-pressure fields? How do you think about the difference between real external pressure and self-imposed pressure? What does progress usually look like for someone in a demanding, high-visibility job? A therapist who answers these clearly and specifically — not generically — is more likely to be the right fit.

What good therapy looks like from here

The goal isn’t to convince you to want less, or to suggest the job is the problem. It’s to help you understand what’s actually driving the anxiety, the numbness, or the exhaustion, so you can keep performing at a high level without paying for it with your health, your sleep, or your relationships. That’s the work I do with clients at Likeminded, and it’s why I built a practice specifically for people who work the way you do.

Likeminded Therapy is virtual across New York, California, and Florida. Free 15-minute consultations available — no commitment required.

Ready to talk?

If any of this resonated, the next step is a free 15-minute consultation. We’ll talk about what’s going on, what you’re hoping for, and whether the fit is right. If it isn’t, I’ll point you to someone who is. Likeminded Therapy serves high-achieving adults in finance, law, and other high-pressure fields across New York, California, and Florida — virtually, on a schedule that actually works for you. Book a free consultation to get started.