Finding the Right Therapist
Finding the Right Therapist
October 12, 2023
Ugh! I know I need to talk to someone, but where do I start? How do I know if I will like them? Is it better to search online or ask a friend? Will people judge me for going to therapy? Can I even afford this?
Ok - STOP! Take a breath…. let me help you…. we’ve got this.
Best place to start - ask a trusted friend or search the internet. Often a friend’s experience can be the best reflection of what a therapist has to offer, their personality and style, whether they are structured or laid back in their approach and what’s it’s like to experience therapy with them. Firsthand experience can be trusted!
Online searches can give you the remaining information you need about a potential therapy; like their picture, location, how much it will cost or whether they take your insurance.
Another helpful thing about searching online is that you can check your potential therapist out without having to make a call - window shopping without the commitment and no buyer’s remorse!
Good information to look for is what they share about themselves, typically on an “about me” page, what they are passionate about and what their treatment focus is. A good therapist website will also have information about their therapy services, like trauma, anxiety or depression, and their goals for their clients’ treatment. Some therapists will provide information about the types of interventions they use - for example, EMDR, Brainspotting, Play Therapy, Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to name a few - and how it can help specific symptoms or problems.
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay! The beauty of searching for the right therapist is that you get to pick them in your own time.
Here’s some great places to start when searching for a therapist online:
Google - search key words like “mental health therapist”, “counselor” and include your location. Also search for specific therapy like EMDR, Couples Therapy or Play Therapy.
Psychology Today - this is a website where therapists list their information, services and cost and are searchable by zip code.
Therapy Den - also a therapist search site by zip code.
There are additional sites to search for therapist. These are the ones I’ve found to be popular among my colleagues.
Bottom line - Finding the right therapist for you is possible and worth the effort to having your needs met.
Ugh! I know I need to talk to someone, but where do I start?
How do I know if I will like them?
Is it better to search online or ask a friend?
Will people judge me for going to therapy?
Can I even afford this?
Ok - STOP! Take a breath…. let me help you…. we’ve got this.
Best place to start - ask a trusted friend or search the internet. Often a friend’s experience can be the best reflection of what a therapist has to offer, their personality and style, whether they are structured or laid back in their approach and what’s it’s like to experience therapy with them. Firsthand experience can be trusted!
Online searches can give you the remaining information you need about a potential therapy; like their picture, location, how much it will cost or whether they take your insurance.
Another helpful thing about searching online is that you can check your potential therapist out without having to make a call - window shopping without the commitment and no buyer’s remorse!
Good information to look for is what they share about themselves, typically on an “about me” page, what they are passionate about and what their treatment focus is. A good therapist website will also have information about their therapy services, like trauma, anxiety or depression, and their goals for their clients’ treatment. Some therapists will provide information about the types of interventions they use - for example, EMDR, Brainspotting, Play Therapy, Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to name a few - and how it can help specific symptoms or problems.
Feeling overwhelmed? That’s okay! The beauty of searching for the right therapist is that you get to pick them in your own time.
Here’s some great places to start when searching for a therapist online:
Google - search key words like “mental health therapist”, “counselor” and include your location. Also search for specific therapy like EMDR, Couples Therapy or Play Therapy.
Psychology Today - this is a website where therapists list their information, services and cost and are searchable by zip code.
Therapy Den - also a therapist search site by zip code.
There are additional sites to search for therapist. These are the ones I’ve found to be popular among my colleagues.
Bottom line - Finding the right therapist for you is possible and worth the effort to having your needs met.