You’ve made the decision to start therapy. Now, how do you find the right therapist for you? Of course, you will choose one who is licensed and qualified and who maintains ethical standards. Your friends or family may offer you names of therapists they trust. You may have a list from your insurance provider or from online directories such as Psychology Today or Good Therapy. Nevertheless, you and your needs are unique!
You can learn a lot about the therapists on your list by searching online. Most therapists are listed in one or more directories as well as having a website. Check out the information. You can learn about their background and training, their specialties, their office locations, and whether or not they accept insurance or offer sliding scale. If they have a blog, what topics do they write about? Many therapists also have social media presences. Some of the information from their websites will be included there, but you can also check out what topics their posts cover.
Often therapists will offer free phone (or even in-person) consultations. Once you narrow down your list to a couple of therapists, you might schedule these consultations. You will then have an opportunity to chat with each therapist for a short time and get a feel for what therapy might be like.
Finally, if you schedule a session or two and find the therapist is just not right for you, please talk to them about it. They might be able to refer you to someone who fits your needs. They might even be able to help you get a clearer idea of what you are looking for in therapy. If you are not certain if they are right for you, talk to them anyway. Remember, therapy tend to be a roller coaster ride. It has its ups and downs, and sometimes you will feel worse before you feel better. The therapist may be able to help you see the bigger picture. Or they may collaborate with you to make some modifications in your treatment plan.
In my next blog, I will list some qualities to look for when choosing your therapist.