How to Choose the Right Therapist

How to you choose the right therapist? Finding a mental health professional to meet your needs doesn't have to be overwhelming. Some simple steps can help you identity the right person.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Knowledge about your health insurance
• Knowledge about your personality style

1. Identify what challenges you are facing. It can help to make a list of them. (for example, stress at work, relationship problems, depression, etc..)
2. Think about the qualities/characteristics you think will make you comfortable with a therapist. This can include: gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity. Hint: Sometimes working with someone different from you can be the most rewarding!
3. Locate a therapist. You can do this by contacting your insurance company, contacting your EAP program at work, getting referrals from a medical doctor, friends, non-profit agencies, religious or community organizations. You can also look on the internet.
4. Call potential therapists. Ask about their availability (does it work with your schedule?) Ask about the insurance coverage they take and about their fees. It can be helpful to ask about if they have experience working with the specific challenges you are facing. If it seems like a potential fit, schedule an appointment for a Consultation. You can't really tell how you're going to get along with the therapist until you meet in person.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't connect with your therapist, try to talk to them about it. It's OK to find another therapist if you don't feel like you can work it out. You aren't friends with everyone you meet and you are not going to get along with every therapist you contact.
• If you are feeling unsafe or like hurting yourself or someone else, please seek emergency services. Local crisis/suicide prevention phone numbers can be located on the Internet.
• Engaging in psychotherapy can bring up distressing thoughts/memories. Let your therapist know if this becomes worse once starting therapy.