How to Find the Right Therapist

Easy Guide to Finding the Right Therapist for You

Before you call or even look for a therapist, consider these questions….

·       Do I want to focus on my past, present or future?

·       Do I prefer a guided/structured session or a place to vent/process out loud?

·       Do I want a therapist that is more conversational/involved/directive vs quiet/listening/non-directive?

·       Do I want a therapist that shares my gender, orientation, race, religion etc.?

·       Do I plan to use my insurance for therapy? If not, what fee is within my budget?

·       Do I need weekly or bi-weekly therapy?

·       Do I want to be able to message my therapist between sessions?

·       Do I prefer video or in person? Individual or group therapy?

Now that you know what you want, you can look for these common key words:

If you want therapy that is present/future focused, structured, active … look for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based, and solution-focused.
If you want therapy that is past/present focused, non structured, non-directive, uses metaphors and symbolism…. look for words like psycho-dynamic, humanistic, experiential, Jungian, and depth psychology.

Based on your list, look through several online profiles and set up introduction calls with at least three. Often, 10-15 minute introduction/consultation calls are free of charge!

Here are some ideas of what to ask a potential therapist:

·       How is payment collected? What if I need to cancel? What if my insurance does not cover fees?

·       What does a typical session look like?

·       How structured are sessions?

·       Who takes the lead in a session?

·       How often do you share about yourself during a session? (This is called “self-disclosure.”)

·       Will sessions focus more on the past, present or future?

·       What is your approach to helping me with problems? Do you give direct advice?

·       Will you provide worksheets or skills I can practice outside of session?

·       What do you think leads to change during therapy?

REMEMBER: YOU are interviewing THEM and seeing how they match up to your preferences.

The effort you put in to finding the right therapist is usually well worth it! Most people interview at least three therapists before choosing one that is a good fit. Try to prioritize your needs and preferences, because the connection you feel with the therapist is the best predictor that therapy will be successful.