Finding a therapist can feel daunting. Add on that most people looking for a therapist are experiencing significant distress in their life, and it makes sense why many people put off going to therapy for weeks, months, or years. By knowing how to find therapists in your area, what to ask, and how to know if you found someone who can truly help you, you can feel more confident and less overwhelmed in this process.
First step is figuring out the best way to find a therapist. Many of my clients found me by word of mouth and referrals. In my own experience with finding a professional, I prefer asking a trusted friend or family member who they have seen and what their experience has been with that person. Another common way of finding a therapist is through the good old google search. I recommend looking on sites, such as psychologytoday.com. Psychology Today allows you to filter through therapists based on age they work with, therapist's gender, specializations, insurances covered, etc. Also on this site, many therapists will state if they are or are not accepting new clients, saving you the hassle of calling only to find out their schedules are full.
Many therapists, like myself, now offer free consultation calls before the first session to introduce ourselves and see if we would be a good fit for you. During the phone call, here are a few good topics to make sure are covered to see if the therapist is right for you:
What are the therapist's credentials, education, and experience?
What treatment methods does the therapist have training in? Is it empirically-based?
What population does the therapist specialize in?
What are the fees, forms of payment accepted, and practice policies?
The last step is seeing how you feel in session with the therapist. The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in determining how effective treatment will be. During that first session, it is useful to do a mental check and ask yourself, "Do I feel understood, valued, and safe with this person?" If not, it is okay to find someone else and try again.
In the first session with a new client, I make sure to say to my client, "Please tell me if you are unsure if we are a good fit. You won't offend me." Having that conversation can help in seeing if there is something small that I can change to help the client feel safer or if I can refer the client to someone who can better meet their needs. At the end of the day, it is about you feeling that you are with the right person and getting the best treatment possible.
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