How to Find a Therapist

So you decide that you need some extra support and are ready to start working with a therapist. Great! Finding the right provider should be simple, but unfortunately it can be harder than you think. Although it can be a lot of work on the front end to find the right match, it is time well spent. Here are a few questions and tips to help make the process a bit easier.

Will you be using your health insurance to help cover the cost of therapy? If the answer is yes, then you may want to review your plan and understand what your specific plan will cover. This could mean calling the number on the back of your card or looking it up on the internet. Some therapists will be considered in-network providers, and the insurance may cover the cost of treatment (minus the co-pay) once your deductible has been met. Others may be out of network providers. Often times these therapists will have you pay in full for the sessions but provide you with the paperwork to submit to your insurance for any reimbursement your plan may offer.

Ask trusted friends, family, internists, and teachers for referrals. I get asked all the time by others in my community for names of therapists whom I would recommend. This is always a good place to start.

Search the internet. Websites like psychologytoday.com are a great place to start. Just type in your zip code, and you will find lots of information. You can filter by gender, age, years of practice, or any other characteristic that matters to you. Worry less about the credentials behind someone’s name (PhD, PsyD, MA, MSW) and more about what they say in their descriptions of their areas of expertise and how they practice. However, do make sure that they are licensed to practice in your state.

Once you have narrowed it down to a couple of names, give each a call. Most therapists will talk with you on the phone and give you an idea of who they are and how they work. If it feels okay, then schedule a first appointment. If the person you talk to on the phone doesn’t have openings, ask them for referrals in the area. If they do not answer the phone, please leave a message! Often mental health providers can not have their phones on when they are working. They rely on potential clients to leave messages so that they can return the phone calls.

When you go for a first appointment make sure that you take the time to ask any questions that you have. As best you can, evaluate how you feel sitting with that person. Not every therapist will be the right personality/style fit for you. The number one predictor for a successful therapy outcome is your connection with your provider. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, that is okay. A good therapist will not be offended and should help you to find a better match.

Don’t be afraid to keep searching until you find a good fit. Do remember that therapy can and should be uncomfortable at times. It is your therapist’s job to help you explore hard and difficult emotions in a safe way. That uncomfortable feeling is not the same as feeling like the therapist is not a good personality match.

If this feels like too much work, please enlist the support of anyone you trust to help you navigate the process. Lastly, if you feel that you are in serious danger of harming yourself or someone else, please call 911 or go to your local emergency room to seek immediate care.