How to Find a Therapist
Myra McNair
You’ve made the decision to find a therapist and talk to someone about what’s been troubling you. Congratulations! That is a big first step. Now it’s time to do some research, compile a list and make some calls to find the therapist who will work best with you and your needs.
Start with your insurance
Before you start researching different therapists, it’s important to know what your insurance covers. Sometimes insurance companies have specific provider lists for you to choose from. There may also be different fee structures based on the type of therapist you choose. Consult with your insurance company and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions so you fully understand what is available to you.
Get familiar with different types of therapy models
There are several different models of therapy out there and they’re not one-size-fits-all. All of these models should be done with licensed clinicians:
Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy: This therapy helps you search for meaning and motivation behind your behaviors so you can change them.
Behavioral therapy: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectal behavior therapy (DBT) are common types of therapy that help you learn skills to better manage your behaviors and thoughts.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR): This trauma-based therapy can help you replace negative emotional reactions with positive ones.
Interpersonal therapy: You’ll work on improving your interpersonal skills by looking at the relationships you have with other people.
Sex Therapy
Trauma-Specific Therapy
Marriage and couples therapy: Engaging both partners in a relationship, this therapy seeks to understand how to work together when conflicts arise and establish open communication to minimize conflicts, with the therapist as an objective third party.
Family Therapy: Much like marriage and couples therapy, this practice engages the family unit in understanding how to work together when conflicts arise and establish open communication to minimize conflicts, with the therapist as an objective third party.
Consider what’s best for you
Making the decision to go to therapy is an important step in achieving mental wellness. Give yourself grace and patience as you seek out the right therapist for you. Here are a few things to consider as you shop for a therapist:
If gender, age and cultural background are important to you, no shame! This can be a simple filter in the beginning stages of your search.
Therapists are human, and not every human interaction feels “just right.” If you find you and a therapist are not a good personality match, that’s okay. Keep looking.
Your therapist may not have a ton of experience with your specific issue, which is why it’s good to familiarize yourself with the different therapy types (listed above) and find a therapist who specializes in what you need.
How do you want office visits to happen? Would you like to meet face-to-face or virtually? How does your schedule mesh with your potential therapist (i.e. do you need later appointments but the therapist stops taking appointments past 4:30?)
Always make sure the therapists you’re considering are licensed. A therapist should have credentials like LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PhD, PsyD. (life coaches are not therapists, some use the term counselors but may not be credentialed to perform psychotherapy).
Read our post on therapist green flags and red flags to ensure you’ve found a therapist who is a good fit.
Finding a therapist you like and trust can feel a bit like going through the dating process. If all goes well, you’ll find that perfect match in the first visit but don’t be surprised if you encounter some duds along the way. Keep your faith that you’ll find a good therapist and the resolve to take care of your mental well-being.
At Anesis Therapy, we believe everyone deserves to be seen and honored fully–not only as dynamic and nuanced individuals, but also as people who are shaped by, and are shaping, their communities, cultures, faiths and families. We meet our clients where they are, and together chart a course for healing that is supportive, accessible, creative and joyous!
Get to know our team and connect with us. We’re here to answer your questions and start your therapy journey with you.