Today’s post is by Brandie Conrad, a former Licensed Professional Counselor Intern (LPC-Intern) at Counseling South Austin. She enjoys working with people from all walks of life, while her areas of special focus are self-esteem, codependency, and personal growth. You can contact her for a free 30 minute consultation here.
So you made the brave decision to see a therapist…
Good for you!
Now- how do you find one that is right for YOU?
It can seem overwhelming, especially if you are already feeling distressed.
Don’t worry!
You’re not alone, many people feel this way when they begin looking for a therapist.
The internet is a great resource to start creating a list of therapists that you are interested in.
Many therapists have a website or some information about themselves on the website of the company they are working for.
Psychology Today is a popular online directory of therapist’s profiles, which allows you to search using your city or zip code.
Checking out their website or profile can help you to get a sense of who they are and more importantly…if you feel they are going to get who you are.
Also, if you feel comfortable sharing, you could ask friends, family, or your doctor for some recommendations.
As you are narrowing down your choices, here are 7 things that can help you find a therapist that is right for YOU:
1.) Location, location, location: Pick a therapist whose location is convenient for you. Is there office close to your home or where you work? Going to therapy could become frustrating if you have to drive across town or sit an hour of traffic every week to get there. You decided to come to therapy to improve your life, not make it more difficult…
2.) Payment: Choose a therapist with a fee that you can afford. If their fee is too high for you, it can put an unnecessary strain on going to your therapy sessions. Ask if they offer services on a sliding scale? Do they take your health insurance? If so, how much is your copayment?
3.) Availability: Does their availability work with your schedule? Rearranging your daily routine to squeeze in a therapy session might work at first but, after several weeks in therapy it could become inconvenient.
4.) Licensure: Make sure that the therapist is licensed or they are an intern in the process of getting their license, and being supervised by a licensed therapist. This way you know that they have: completed the appropriate amount of education, training, and supervised experience, passed the state licensing exam, and are required to adhere to certain ethical and legal standards.
5.) Specialties: Look for a therapist that has experience or specializes in the issues (e.g. grief, anxiety, and low self-esteem) that you are struggling with. They may have a greater understanding of the specific problems you are experiencing and ways to alleviate some of your distress. See which therapists in your area are trained in a specific form of treatment that you’re interested in or one that has been found to be an effective treatment with the issues that led you to therapy (e.g. EMDR for trauma).
6.) Consultation: If you have questions or would like to meet them in person before you schedule an appointment, request an initial consultation (they are often free). Some therapist do these over the phone, while others offer a face-to face meeting.
7.) Personality: Be aware of how you are feeling during and after your conversation with them. Are you comfortable talking to them? Do they seem to understand you and your needs? Do they communicate in a way that is easy for you to understand? Do they seem interested in you as a person?
The relationship between you and your therapist is vital to your progress in therapy. You will feel at ease, safe, heard, and understood when you find the one that is a good-fit for you. When it comes to shopping for a therapist…one-size-fits-all doesn’t necessarily apply. So allow your intuition to guide you through this process because a therapist that is RIGHT for you is one that is EFFECTIVE for you.