Finding a counselor or therapist is very similar to finding a doctor
Like medical doctors, many therapists accept insurance, have different pricing and payment options, have different levels of experience, and have various attitudes and personalities that may or may not be compatible with yours. A good therapist will not be offended if you choose to leave their services for another because you do not think they are a good fit for you.
In fact, the first session will likely be an intake session. The therapist or intake coordinator will ask relatively basic questions about you, why you are seeking services, and more in-depth questions about your background (like a doctor compiling medical history). This will help the therapist determine if they are qualified to treat you. The following session (or few) can be relatively slow and serve as a time for you to build trust with your therapist and develop a treatment plan with them. This is an ideal time for you to get a sense of how well you and your therapist interact with each other, and help determine if you feel comfortable enough to continue seeing them long-term.
Below are lists of ways to not only locate a therapist, but to find one that is right for you.
To Locate a Therapist:
If you have medical insurance, check your insurance website to see which mental health professionals they cover in your network.
If your employer offers the Employee Assistance Program as a benefit, you might consider contacting the helpline to be matched with someone who is possibly compatible with you and your situation.
Visit directory listing sites. Depending on the website, you will be able to filter results by accepted insurance, price, types of therapy, specific issues you are looking to address, ages therapists serve, whether the therapist offers religious-based counseling, the gender of the therapist, and more. Here are a few websites you can check out:
Check their credentials. Whoever you are seeing should be a licensed professional such as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), Phycologist (PhD or PsyD), Psychiatrist (MD or DO who can prescribe medications), or similar. Each professional licensing board should have a way to verify a therapist’s licensure status, or see if they received professional disciplinary action.
You may be able to tell if a counselor is a member of a professional organization like the American Psychological Association (APA) or National Association of Social Workers (NASW). This could provide extra assurance that they are quality professionals.
Consider online reviews or word of mouth recommendations. However, remember that just like restaurant or product reviews, they may or may not be accurate or what you may also end up experiencing.
Finding a Good Fit:
Options can be overwhelming, so think about your situation and possible goals ahead of time. Are you wanting to find ways to cope with stress? Overcome addiction? Treat symptoms of anxiety or depression? Work on developing healthier relationships with family members? The possibilities are endless. Once you identify your needs, it’s best find a therapist who has prior experience in those areas. For instance, you probably do not want to seek substance abuse counseling from someone who only specializes in child play therapy, or trauma counseling from someone with limited experience in that area.
Think about your age or the age of the person you are seeking help for. There are many therapists who treat people of all ages while others may have special experience with teenagers, young children, or seniors.
Think about any personal preferences you may have. Are you more comfortable talking with someone who is male or female? Do you prefer counseling that is centered on certain religious beliefs or not? Do you prefer a therapist who is older, younger, or closer to your own age? How about race, languages, or cultural backgrounds? Mental healthcare professionals are trained to understand and respect diverse beliefs, cultures, and social issues, so even if a therapist does not fit your ideal mold, you might still be compatible if your preference isn’t a deal breaker.
You do not need a reason to switch therapists. Talking about difficult subjects will probably result in some level of discomfort. But if you feel uncomfortable with the therapist as an individual, or do not feel like you can trust them, then you should find someone else. Here are some things to pay attention to:
Once you enter their office and start talking with them, how do you feel? Pay attention to your own responses. Talking about difficult, deeply personal problems can be overwhelming and uncomfortable, but do you feel supported when discussing them? Therapists should listen to your thoughts and feelings without brushing them off or invalidating your concerns. Does your therapist listen carefully to what you’re saying, or do they interrupt you? You should be allowed to move at a speed you’re comfortable with, and not be forced to talk about things you’re not ready for. Do you feel respected, heard, and seen during your appointments? Does your therapist respect you by being on-time to appointments? How does your body feel during a therapy session – do you feel tense or at ease?
