When you find yourself thinking about finding a therapist it can feel pretty overwhelming. People often worry about finding a “good one” or if their insurance will cover it. Other concerns people have about seeking out mental health support are linked to fears over confidentiality, being seen as “Crazy”, and being judged by their therapist. Then there is the struggle of finding a therapist in your area who has an opening. All these things can make you feel like it is impossible to get the help you need.
To find a therapist in your area you can call your insurance provider and see if they have a list of therapists that are in-network. You can also look at goodtherapy.org or psychologytoday.com. On these sites you can get an idea of what an individual therapist is like, what they have experience treating and if they have any additional certifications or specialties.
Once you finally get into see a therapist you might feel like you are stuck with what you get. I hope that once you do get in to see someone that they fit your needs right off the bat, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. You should be honest with your therapist if you are not feeling like it is a good fit after a few sessions. There might be some underlying thoughts and feelings that can be addressed to help you develop the therapeutic relationship that works best for you. Or your therapist should be able to help you find a better fit and support you in the referral process. It is important to feel like you are in an active process where your input is valued.
Here are some suggestions on what to ask during an initial phone call or your intake appointment.
- What is your degree in and do you have any certifications or specialty trainings? Are you licensed.
- What insurance do you accept?
- How long have you worked in mental health?
- How do you determine what the best treatment is for someone like me?
- How much will treatment cost? What are the additional fees I might incur during treatment?
- Do you have a specific approach to therapy?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the approach you take?
- What are your thoughts on medication?
- How does the treatment work and how effective is it likely to be? Is this treatment evidence-based?
- How soon can I expect to feel better, what is the longevity of the treatments you provide?
- How will we assess my progress, and what will happen if I am not making progress?
It’s important to know that the number one factor in effective treatment is the quality of therapeutic rapport. The single greatest factor in the healing process is feeling understood and validated for your emotional experiences. In a world that often tells us to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and get over it (the worst pieces of advice in my professional opinion) it can be almost shocking to be in an environment of unconditional positive regard. Everyone deserves to find the help they need with respect and empathy, I hope you find the right fit for you as you build your wellbeing.
