Tips on Finding a Therapist that’s Right for You
Finding a Therapist
If you have been looking for a therapist at all in the past several years, you definitely know that finding a therapist is not easy. You probably have run into limited availability or therapist’s aren’t taking on new clients.
So when you do find a therapist who has availability, how do you know if they are the right one for you? There isn’t an exact formula but there are some questions and things to consider when deciding if a therapist is a good fit for you or not. The following are hopefully some helpful tips for finding the right therapist for you.
Resources for Finding a Therapist
Here are some therapy directive websites that you can use to help find available therapists in your area. You can filter searches to meet the criteria you are looking for.
Google Search- it may sound obvious or silly, but searching for therapists in your area can be another way to find a therapist. You can also type in keywords of specific types of therapy you’re looking for.
Ask for Referrals- if you contact a therapist and they say they are not taking new clients, ask for referrals. They can provide you with other names of therapists who have openings.
Contact your Insurance- If you are looking for a therapist in-network with your insurance company, you can contact your insurance for a directory of in-network therapists.
How do I access Therapy if I can’t Afford it?
Therapy is an investment and financing your therapy sessions is often a barrier for people to access good mental healthcare. Here are a few things to consider if this is something you’re looking for.
Consider Seeing a Therapist Intern- these are students in graduate programs who provide therapy services for clients. They are not yet licensed but are supervised under an experienced licensed clinician. Due to an intern not having a license, the fee for therapy is often reduced.
Openpathcollective.org- this is a directory where you can find therapists who offer reduced rate options.
Ask a Therapist if they have any Reduced Rate Availability- Some therapists that are out of network, will provide limited reduced rate slots for clients so that more people can have access to good mental healthcare.
Community Mental Health Care Organizations- Check to see if your area has community healthcare organizations who often can provide a set number of therapy sessions at a reduced rate. These organizations also can assist in providing or connecting you with other additional services if needed.
Financial Changes- If you are already seeing a therapist and your financial situation changes and worry about paying for therapy, this is a great thing to discuss with your therapist. It can feel like an awkward thing to talk about but most often therapists are willing to work with you to find a solution that works for both of you.
Schedule or Ask for a Consultation
When narrowing down which therapist is a good fit for you, ask if they provide a complimentary consultation. The consultation can provide you with information you need to decide if that therapist feels right for you. If possible, schedule several consultations with different therapists. Talking to multiple therapists before making a decision can help you decide which one feels like a better fit for you and what you’re looking for. There is no size fits all when it comes to finding a therapist.
What to Ask or Consider During a Consultation
What is your fee?- Different therapists have different rates depending on experience, expertise, location, or for other various reasons. Knowing how much the cost of a session is can help you decide if you are financially able to pay the therapy fee.
Are you paneled with insurance?- Finding the therapist that fits your needs is important and often having a therapist in network with your insurance company is crucial in financing therapy.
If a therapist is out-of-network, you can check with your insurance to see if they will reimburse any of the costs. If you find a therapist that might be the right fit but aren’t sure if it’s covered, you can contact your insurance and give them the therapists information.
How would you work with me?- When finding a therapist, you are probably coming to therapy for a reason. You can ask the therapist how they would work with that specific issue that you are wanting to address such as anxiety, depression, burnout, eating disorders, and etc.
What kind of modalities do you use?- Therapists have different trainings and styles of how they work with a client. Some therapists might use more structured modalities and assign weekly homework such as CBT or DBT. Some therapists might be less structured and don’t provide homework. When a therapist describes how they work with clients, does it fit with what you’re looking for.
Ask about items that feel important to you- Does having a therapist with a social justice lens important? Do you value someone who has been doing therapy for a while? Do they have experience working with what you are looking for in therapy? Is a therapist who is apart of the LGBTQIA+ community important to you?
Availability- Does it fit with your schedule and the times that you need. Do they have only bi-weekly or weekly sessions available? Do you need weekends or an evening appointment?
Can I do a few trial sessions before fully committing?- It can take a long time to find a therapist and finding the right one can take even longer. Ask the prospective therapist about doing 1-3 sessions and then reassess if you feel it’s the right fit.
Personality- Does the therapist seem to fit with your personality and what you’re looking for? Does it feel like the therapist will provide a safe and welcoming environment?
Begin Therapy
If you are looking for a therapist in the Greater Seattle area, consider working with me. I have expertise and experience working with millennial women just like you. You can request a free phone consultation to see how we might be able to work together.
Meet the Author
Adrienne Kandhari (she/her) is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Washington. She specializes working with millennial women and helping them to grow, succeed, and thrive in the modern world. When she’s not with clients, you can find her exploring the PNW, sewing a new fashion project, and soaking up some snuggles from her German Shepherd mix puppy, Alaia.
