Finding Your Therapist
The whole concept of therapy is a little weird if you think about it. You contact a stranger and schedule some time to meet up so you can share your deepest, darkest secrets to them and leave. Maybe you see them again, maybe you don’t.
While some of that is technically true, finding a therapist doesn’t have to appear quite as sketchy.
First, let’s talk about what you want in a therapist. This will help you easily narrow down your options. You’ll want to find someone who:
· Understands what your specific struggle is. Look for what they specialize in. Most therapists are pretty familiar with the ins and outs of anxiety and depression. Some take it a step further and dig deeper into trauma, eating disorders, OCD, or special needs. And, some go as far as to learn different modalities of treatment for those issues like CBT, DBT, or EMDR. I can guarantee there is a therapist out there that will feel almost tailored to your needs.
· Is affordable. Do you need someone who takes insurance? Can you afford to pay out of pocket? If so, how much can you afford? Therapy can get expensive. While it’s important to budget for your sessions, it’s also important to find a therapist within your budget. Many offer sliding scales or have referrals to low-cost counseling centers if you need them. Just ask!
· Fits your vibe. While we don’t want to necessarily judge a therapist by their profile picture, it is important to pay attention to what your gut reaction is. If there is something in their picture or profile that just doesn’t sit well with you, that’s not the therapist for you. Be on the lookout for parts of their profile that stick out to you and make you feel comfortable even before you get the chance to talk with them. This will help you feel at ease as you make your way to your first appointment.
Ok, so, how do I find my therapist? There are a few routes for this answer.
· Call your insurance. If you are choosing to use insurance, call them first. Make sure you understand what your coverage and copay are. Then, ask them for a list of therapists that are in network.
· Google. This is my least favorite option, but it’s the easiest. Google things like: “therapist near me” or “therapist that works with anxiety” or “Sarah Henry Counseling” and you’ll get an array of various, local therapist ready to help. Click their websites, scroll through everything, see if you like them.
· Psychology Today. I like this option because you can click specific qualifications to find that tailored therapist that we talked about above. It’s takes a lot of the guess work out of who your therapist is and what they’re capable of. I also like Psychology Today because a therapist must be approved to appear, unlike some other places that let anyone just build a profile. This website is good, too, because you can also find psychiatrists or psychologists, if you need one.
· Word of mouth. This may be one of the harder options. It will involve you talking to the people you know and admitting to them you are considering therapy, which you may not be ready to do. However, this is one of the most effective ways to find a new therapist. If you are already talking to people you trust, and they tell you they trust this therapist, there’s a good chance you will, too. A personal referral is always the best referral.
At the end of the day, it will be a little bit awkward to find your therapist. Don’t let that deter you. Give yourself a few sessions to get comfortable and settle into this new relationship. Here’s a reminder though: If you ever feel uncomfortable or feel like the therapist isn’t exactly what you were looking for, you are always allowed to leave a session, cancel a session, and look for someone new. You are never locked in to seeing the first therapist you chose to schedule with. You are in the driver’s seat; the therapist is just MapQuest.
Good luck, friends! I'm here if you need me.