You’re finally sick of your own sh*t and you want to start therapy, but where do you start? Where do people even find therapists? Is there a therapist dating app? Ugh! the whole process sounds intimidating. Read on for 6 tips on how to find the right therapist.
1. Get Clarity
It’s important first to reflect on what type of help you are looking for. Are you looking for a therapist that specializes in relationships, anxiety, grief, LGBTQIA+, childhood trauma, addiction, or someone who is culturally competent? Before you dive in, think about why you want to start or what issues you’d like to talk about. There are also many different types of therapy depending on your needs. Note that not all mental health professionals are trained in all of the approaches, so it’s important to ask a prospective therapist what they recommend and if they’re trained in the type you desire.
2. Ask Around
Ask friends about their experience with therapy and if they have recommendations. You’ll learn a lot from their good and bad experiences, so you know what to expect, look for, and look out for (yikes). You can also ask your health care provider for recommendations.
3. Look Online
Once you have a good idea of what you want, search online for a qualified therapist in your state for your specific issue. You can try Psychology Today’s therapist search tool and filter by location, insurance, issue, price, and more. Each therapist has a profile so you can easily compare to find the right fit. Take a look at American Psychological Association for more info on how to find the right therapist.
4. Reach Out
Don’t hesitate to reach out via email or a short phone call. You don’t have to commit yet, so feel free to ask questions and interview your therapist to see if it’s the right fit. You’ll want to find someone you feel safe with, that is either in your insurance network or that you can afford. Here are 10 questions to ask new therapists from Harvard.
5. Shop Around
Finding a new therapist is like dating, you want to make sure it’s a good fit both ways. You’ll want to feel comfortable enough to feel understood but also challenged enough to grow. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a few therapists at once and ask questions. You can even set up an initial session and cancel the next if it’s not a good fit. Need help ending a relationship with a therapist? Take a look at this guide to break up with your therapist.
6. Be Patient
Most importantly, remember to be patient because it may take a few tries to find the right therapist for you. Just like dating, not everyone is a good fit. Don’t be discouraged if the first therapist isn’t what you expected. Take your time and think of it as a process of getting to know yourself and your needs. Eventually, you will find a great therapist for you and wonder how you ever survived without them.
Are you curious how to afford therapy or what your options are? Read about how much therapy costs for more tips.
