Tips for Choosing the Right Therapist

If your marriage is on the rocks or you’ve experienced a sexual trauma, finding a good therapist to navigate the winding path ahead is critical. But how do you find an effective therapist – and not just someone who can help you, but who is a good fit for you? When you’re already stressed, it can feel like a daunting task – especially when you see so many options as you search online or scan the phone book.

Following are some tips for choosing the right therapist for you:

• Contact your insurance company. If your health insurance covers mental health treatment, this is the best place to start. Contact your insurance company and ask for their most current provider list. Getting their most recent list is crucial because they may not have all their current providers listed on their website or in one of their booklets. This is also a good time to talk to the insurance company about how they handle therapy payments: Will they cover outpatient therapy? Do they limit the number of covered sessions? Is a co-pay required? Be sure to ask if they also require a referral from your primary doctor.
• Ask people you know for referrals. Family and friends are often a great go-to resource for finding everything from a new dentist to karate classes. So when you’re looking for a therapist, consider asking close friends and family. If a friend loves her therapist but you wouldn’t be comfortable seeing the same therapist as your friend, consider contacting their therapist and ask if he or she can give you a few names.
• Refer to online resources. Using the Internet is an easy way to find a mental health professional 24/7/365. Therapists’ websites and online directories are a good way to get a general overview of specialties and qualifications. Be careful when considering online reviews or ratings. In general, consumers – including those who use health care services – are more likely to post a negative review than a positive one. What’s more, the dynamic between a therapist and a client is unique. If one patient had a bad experience with a therapist, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll have a bad one as well.
• Location, location, location. Whether you’re a professional with a full-time job or a stay-at-home parent who taxis kids all day, you’ll want to find a therapist with a convenient location. If your list of criteria is not too strict, then finding someone not too far from your home or work may be fairly easy. However, you might need to consider traveling a longer distance to see a therapist who is highly specialized in an area that’s specific to your needs.
• Consider gender preferences. For some people, it doesn’t matter whether their therapist is a man or a woman. Other people, however, may have a strong preference for talking to a therapist of a specific gender. For example, a woman may prefer to work with a male therapist because she grew up with several brothers and had a great relationship with her father. A woman who was sexually abused by her father growing up, on the other hand, may feel much more comfortable working with a female therapist.
• Scout out specialties. Many therapists focus on a particular area of mental health. For example, some focus on marriage and family therapy while others work exclusively with patients battling depression or PTSD. Other common specialty areas include substance abuse, behavior modification, eating disorders, developmental disorders, and crisis intervention. What’s more, some therapists specialize in treating a particular age group (e.g. adolescents or seniors), occupation (e.g. entertainers), or population (e.g. military families, a certain cultural group).
• Ask about academics. "Therapist" is a broad term that describes mental health professionals with a wide range of educational degrees and credentials. While people often recognize the value of a doctoral degree, many qualified mental health professionals hold master’s degrees. Community mental health clinics and colleges often have student therapists who provide therapy under a credentialed supervisor while they are working on completing their master’s degree. While they won’t have years of experience from which to draw, they are typically fresh and enthusiastic, and often exceptionally compassionate. So don’t rule them out too quickly, especially if budget is an issue. Do, however, be wary of anyone whose mental health education is limited to a single weekend workshop or an unaccredited online program.
• Expect experience. Clinical experience is often just as valuable as academic credentials. Therapists with years of experience will have seen the same problems over and over again. This gives them additional insight into the issue as well as how to resolve it. If budget isn’t a major concern, it’s generally best to find a therapist with the know-how to treat people with issues similar to yours. For instance, if you’re battling PTSD you might be more comfortable with a professional who focuses on treating trauma victims or individuals who have served on the frontlines in the military.
• Look for licensing. A licensed practitioner has met a range of educational and clinical experience requirements that qualify him or her to practice in a specific state. Obtaining a license also requires the therapist to pass a special exam. Choose a therapist who has an up-to-date license and is in good standing with your state’s regulatory board. If they are not yet licensed, make sure they are being closely supervised by someone who is.
• Orient yourself. When it comes to treating emotional struggles and mental health disorders, therapists vary significantly in terms of their theoretical approach. For instance, many therapists utilize a cognitive behavioral approach to treatment, which focuses on changing problematic thought processes and behaviors. Another therapist might prefer a psychoanalytic approach which looks at unconscious processes in order to bring about change. Don’t get too intimidated by choosing a therapist with a particular treatment approach. Most experts agree that the right therapist is the one with whom you can build the best therapeutic relationship, which is beneficial in and of itself.
• Trust your instincts. If you feel like you just can’t connect with your therapist during your initial visits, pay attention to your instincts. In order for therapy to be beneficial, it must be a safe place for you to confidentially open up about your feelings. This doesn’t mean there won’t be times when the emotions and thoughts you share are uncomfortable – that’s to be expected. However, you should never feel unsafe or unable to trust your therapist. If you have a gut feeling that you can’t trust your therapist with the things that are troubling you, then find someone else. Don’t get hung up on hurting your therapist’s feelings if you choose to work with someone else; any true professional recognizes that they’re not going to be the right fit for every client.

Therapy can be an excellent way to help you start making positive life changes. Choosing the right therapist is just the first step in the process-but it’s an important one. It’s worth the time to research several therapists before selecting one. After all, it’s your time, your money, and your life.