How to find a therapist
After deciding to commit to therapy, the next step is to find a therapist that will be a good fit for you. This process can be complex at times, and I hope this will assist you in making the process a little easier. I will guide you through various resources such as health insurance, web searches, medical providers, etc., that you can use to assist you in your search.
Finding a therapist through your insurance
If you would like to use insurance benefits, calling your insurance company and asking for credentialed therapists within your network is a great way to start to look to see who might be able to meet your needs. Insurance companies can also place the initial referral to therapists in your area for you if you would like assistance. During the call to your insurance, it is also a good time to gather if you will have to just pay a co-pay to the therapist or if you will be paying out of pocket until a deductible is met.
If you will be able to use insurance benefits, paying in cash, or a combination of the two. Some agencies and private practitioners are paneled with various insurances so that you can receive in-network care. However, the reimbursement rates for therapy can be very low, even for in-network providers, so you may be paying more out of pocket for services.
Finding a therapist through a web-based search
Web based searches are another way to find a good therapist for you. By looking at provider websites, therapist databases, and the like can give you access to more about a therapist’s philosophy regarding the therapeutic process, their treatment approach, what the therapist looks like, and some even have video introductions available so you can get a sense of what your experience with the therapist might be. Some online therapist databases also will show the cost per session and what insurance companies the provider might be credentialed with. Web searches are also a way to better hone in on what you are needing. For example, if you are wanting a therapist with expertise in LGBTQ+ affirming care, or a specific skill set surrounding depression, anxiety, etc., this is a good way to look at their credentials and expertise to see if they are a good fit for you.
Here are a few useful databases when searching for a therapist:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
https://www.nbcc.org/search/counselorfind
http://www.psychology.com/therapist/
https://africanamericantherapists.com/
Finding a therapist through your medical provider
Your Primary Care Physician or other medical providers you see are also a great resource on who they trust in the therapy community. Many therapists partner with clinics on referrals for continuation of care for mental health conditions to provide more holistic physical and mental health services. Some Primary Care clinics also have counselors/therapists in the clinic that you can get scheduled with. Your medical team can be a valuable resource for finding therapists and typically, you can call your clinic and ask for some names of providers without having to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Finding a therapist through your own social network and social media
If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, asking friends and family for therapist information can be very valuable. This might give you more of a client perspective on what it could be like to be in therapy and how that therapist might meet your needs. I encourage all clients to take feedback from your social network with a grain of salt; everyone has such different therapeutic needs, and one person may not have clicked with a therapist but another may have connected and grown a lot with that same therapist. Every individual is unique in their needs and every experience is different.
Social media may be another valuable tool in your therapist search. Hashtag searches on Instagram for example, can give you location-based information and see in real time what therapists in your community are doing. I would encourage an individual to gather initial information from social media and then verify a provider through a therapist database or with your insurance, to insurance if the information and provider is licensed and legitimate.
Next the next blog post, I will discuss how to talk to your therapist about fees, duration of therapy, and in general, how to interview a therapist to make sure they are a good fit for you.
What are other ways you have found your therapist?
