3 Practical Methods for Finding a Therapist
- P is for Positive
- Nov 17, 2019
- 3 min read
Finding a therapist can often be daunting or can feel awkward, especially for people who are new to seeking therapy. I break down three methods for finding a therapist that are pretty straightforward.
1. Use your insurance provider's search tools to find an in-network provider.
For those who are fortunate enough to have health insurance, one thing that can be really helpful in finding a therapist near you that's in your network is if your insurance has a search tool. My insurance provider has a search feature that lets me find care providers in my network along with reviews and ratings. I personally didn't find my current therapist from that feature but I did peruse it to see how it worked and it's a really cool feature. Best of all is that it's covered under my insurance plan, so really at that point it becomes trial and error of looking to see who's taking new clients and scoping out if that therapist is a good fit. I think this is a good option for those with insurance because it simplifies the payment process and insurance things that can often deter people from getting the care they need.
2. Use websites like Psychology Today to find a therapist.
Psychology Today is a popular and oft-used resource for all things mental health. It's a really cool site and most, if not all of their resources, are free. They have a search feature similar to the one I mentioned in the previous section but this one isn't limited to people who have a certain insurance provider. It's an open site and anyone can access it. It has a wide variety of search criteria to filter down to exactly what you're looking for, with everything ranging from insurance, issues, sexuality, gender, age, language, faith, and type of therapy, among others. I believe this is where I found my current therapist, although I can't really remember exactly since it's been more than six months that I've been going to him.
3. Talk to friends and family who have worked with therapists before to find one that may be a good fit.
When I first started individual therapy more than a year ago, I worked with a therapist who I learned about from my sister who had worked with her in the past. Working with a therapist who's worked with someone you know can be an advantage because you can get a firsthand review of whether or not the person liked working with that therapist. A caveat to consider: a therapist may not take you on as a client at the same time that they are working with a family member for privacy reasons, unless there's some arrangement for family therapy or something. I admit I'm not 100% sure how that works, but that's just what I've been told by therapists in the past.
Finding a therapist, especially for someone who is trying to get their feet wet or considering it, can feel weird. It's like, where do I begin? How does insurance work? How do I know I'm working with a therapist who is adequately addressing my needs? It seems like a lot and it's easy to get lost in the details. In the next post I'll break down how to narrow down your search for the right therapist and how to evaluate your working relationship as you go forward.
Disclaimer: I don't get paid by any of the resources listed in this post, nor am I responsible for anything they post or any interactions you may have on their site. Finding a therapist that's right for you takes time and research. Make sure you do your homework!
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