How To Choose The Right Therapist
Choosing the right therapist can be challenging!
Questions such as “will they understand?” “will they care?” are just a few that might’ve already come up for you. So, here are some helpful suggestions when searching for the right therapist.
Why It’s Important To Find The Right Therapist
Finding the right therapist is almost like finding “the one”. Why? Because this is the person who you are going to share some of the most challenging, difficult, and sometimes traumatic parts of your life and past. And for most of us, being that vulnerable even with the people closest to us is STILL a challenge. So sharing this with a complete stranger may be even more daunting!
Most importantly, once you find a therapist and begin to share this information with them: how will they respond?
Will they be judgemental? Will they unknowingly make a strange facial expression? Will you feel ashamed? Or will you feel heard, understood, and safe after sharing these things with them? I don’t know about you, but I would MUCH rather have the latter. Therefore, taking the time to find the right therapist for you is SO important.
Mistakes Most People Make When Searching For A Therapist
1.Cold Calling Therapist Offices In Their Area:
Please refrain from this as much as possible. Most people will google “therapists near me” and go from there calling and calling… and calling… (you get the picture). This can get discouraging FAST because you may be hoping that they take your insurance and have an available spot within the next few days. You don’t know who the therapist is that you’re meeting with, you don’t know what they specialize in (hence, if they can even help you with your problem) all because you haven’t done your due diligence in finding not just another therapist, but the right therapist for you.
2. Only Focusing On Which Therapists Accepts Your Insurance:
If you contact your insurance provider they will give you a list of mental health professionals in your area or State that provide therapy. So what do you do? You cold call every therapist office on that list. Problems arise when you quickly figure out that the waitlists for these therapists can be anywhere from 4 weeks to a few months and you’ll have to be placed on a waitlist. When you’re in crisis, feeling depressed, or severly anxious THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. It’s already taken up most of your strength and energy to get up the courage to ask for help, then search for the help only to feel somewhat rejected when you don’t receive the help you need. Insurance companies tend to overload their providers which leads to these long wait times for you. You can read this article on why it is so difficult for people to find therapists that accept their insurance, it’s VERY enlightening if you’re really curious. Click here to read the article.
Important Steps To Take To Find the RIGHT Therapist For You
1.Make A List Of The Important Qualities You Want Your Therapist To Have:
It’s as simple as asking yourself “What do I want in a therapist?”
If you’re a person of color and having someone that understands the general cultural norms that you grew up with without having to explain it is important to you then you’d add that to the list.
If you’ve experienced being physically, mentally, or emotionally abused by your mother and you don’t feel comfortable working with a female therapist then add a male therapist as an important criteria.
2.Search Therapist Directories Based On Your Criteria List:
Next, go on therapist directories, here are a few:
On the therapist directories you can select the specific criteria that you want and it will customize a list of therapists that meet the criterias. Then from there you can start calling and know that they meet your criteria for expertise, background, experience, and posses the qualitites that you need in a therapist. From there, contact the different therapists that appear and ask them questions to confirm that they meet your needs. What questions should you ask? I’ve compiled a list of important questions to ask your therapist in the next paragraph.
Health Savings Account, Insurance, Self-Pay
HSA, FSA, Insurances, Self Pay
What is the difference between a health savings account, using insurance, or self pay to see a therapist? Please read this section carefully as there are many helpful things that most insruance companies will NOT tell you. Knowledge is power.
Insurance or Self-pay: Remember, you have the choice and there are many many therapists out there you just have to find the one that specializes in the areas you would benefit from. If you’re using insurance you do have a limitation on who you can work with because they may not accept your insurance (or any insurances at all). However, if you are self-pay which means that you are paying out of pocket then the options are endless and you have the upper hand and can be extremely selective with who you choose to work with. Here is an article that includes the benefits of self pay.
HSA, FSA: If you have insurance then you can open a health savings account. This health savings account can be used for medical services such as doctors visits that include therapy. Giving you the flexibility to choose the right therapist for you even if they do not accept your health insurance. Also, there are tax-benefits to having a health savings account. Here is an article that explains more about health savings accounts, how to open one, and the benefits it yields for you and your family.
Important Questions To Ask Your Potential Therapist
Great, you’ve done your due diligence in making a list of important qualities that your therapist must have in order for you to feel comfortable working with them and opening up to them. You’ve researched therapists that meet your criteria through a reputable therapist directory. You’ve called a few on the list to make sure they meet your criteria but now you’re just missing one important thing: WHAT TO ASK POTENTIAL THERAPISTS BEFORE CHOOSING TO WORK WITH THEM.
“What is your philosophical approach to therapy?” (What techniques do you use to help your clients?)
“How do you determine my counseling goals?”
“What specialty licenses and certifications do you have?”
“How much experience do you have in treating concerns like mine?”
“How long will therapy last (weeks/ months, etc.)?”
“Is therapy offered in your office or online?”
“What should I expect from a typical session?”
If you do not see a question listed here that is important to you ask it! For more tips and resources on helpful mental health topics read more of our blogs here.
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