5 Tips to Find a Therapist

Over the past several years, access to therapy has increased with more online therapy options and more therapists starting private practices; however, finding the right therapist and feeling comfortable with that therapist can still be a challenge. 

Below are a five tips on how you can begin your search for a therapist, and tips on feeling more comfortable in the initial stages of therapy.

5 Tips to find a therapist you are comfortable with.

1. Cast a wide net: Looking for a therapist is daunting. It’s great to get word of mouth referrals from friends, medical doctors, and/or find a reputable online therapist directory. Many of these directories allow you to filter by payment type, areas of expertise, and geographic location. I encourage people to reach out to several therapists at a time because availability can be limited, and this process can take a little while to find a therapist who is accepting new clients.

2. How to search: Another tip is to search for “therapists near me,” or if you are looking for online therapy you can search for “Massachusetts online therapy,” or the state you live in. Many therapists now have their own websites, which is a great way to learn more about the therapist, their fees, their approach, and their areas specialties. This is a great way to get to know the therapist before you make contact, which can decrease some worry and anxiety.

Some things to consider before your search:

•  Payment type: There are generally 3 options for payment type, which include finding a therapist who takes your insurance, private pay i.e. paying out of pocket, or using out-of-network (OON) benefits. Knowing what your personal payment options are beforehand will help you filter using online directories, or when visiting therapists websites. This will save you time from sending messages to therapists who do not match the payment type you’re seeking.

• Know what you’re looking for help with: Having an idea of what you’re looking for help with will guide your search. Therapists have areas of specialization including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, trauma, and couples counseling to name a few. If you want to find a therapist with a specific specialization you can search for something such as “anxiety therapist near me," or "online anxiety therapist in Massachusetts.” Knowing what you’re looking for help with will connect you with a therapist who is a good fit for you.  

• Online therapy or in-person appointments: There are therapists who have online only practices, in-person only practices, or those who have a mix of both. Knowing your preference for online vs. in-person appointments will help guide your search to avoid spending your time contacting therapists do not match the type of appointment you're looking for.

3. Ask for a free telephone consultation: Many therapists offer a brief free telephone consultation. This allows you to decide whether the therapist feels like a good fit for you. I often say to my clients that making the decision to find a therapist, going through the process of finding a therapist, and scheduling the first appointment is sometimes the hardest part. It's overwhelming and there's so much uncertainty. However, once this has been figured out, many clients experience a sense of relief knowing that they have found a therapist to work on the things in their life that are important to them.

 4. Your first visit: In the first visit we will take some time in the beginning of the session to explain what to expect as it helps ease some anxieties and worries coming into their first therapy appointment. Oftentimes, first appointments will be an assessment of your presenting concern, relational dynamics, a review of your history, and most importantly, your desired outcomes for therapy. Having this information up front is helpful for clients because sometimes coming into therapy for the first time can be anxiety provoking, and knowing what to expect reduces that anxiety.

5. Ongoing appointments: You’ve made it through the hard part! Therapy is by no means an easy process, however, with a therapist you trust, and a therapist who can hold space for you to process and learn about yourself, you’ll notice many of your anxieties and worries will decrease as you progress more in your therapy journey.

This guide was completed to provide practical skills and action steps someone can take to find a therapist. If you or anybody you know is looking for a therapist, and have hit roadblocks along the way, please reach out to schedule your free consultation to learn more about our services and how we can work together.