How Do I Pick a Therapist?
So you’re looking for a therapist?!
As you start to sift through therapists, you might wonder “How do I pick one?” Let’s dive in. First, check your insurance and benefits! Find out if you have a copay, still need to hit your deductible, and who may be in-network.
“Okay great, now what?” There are so many sites that you can use. My personal favorite is Psychology Today. You can filter by insurance, issues, location, type of therapy, price, and more. Some other websites you can use are Therapists.com, Mental Health Match, Meet Monarch, and Zencare. So let’s say you find a few therapist’s profiles that interest you. Most therapists will offer a free 15 minute consultation call. Think of this as their interview to see if they’ll be a good match for you.
“What kind of questions should I ask?” There are many things you can ask about! Below are a few:
What can I expect from working with you?
What are sessions like with you?
What kind of modalities or approaches do you use?
How do you describe your style?
Have you worked with clients experiencing (what you’re coming to therapy for)?
What is your experience?
How do we create treatment goals?
Do you give homework?
Do you expect me to lead sessions or will you lead sessions?
“I have my first session set up!” Ah-maz-ing! You’re taking the first step! Try out your therapist for 3-4 sessions to see if they’re a good fit for you. If something feels off, let your therapist know. The relationship you build with your therapist is so important!
“But how long do I have to do this for?” Great question, it kinda depends. Therapy can come in seasons. It doesn’t have to be a years-long commitment. Start off with committing to 3-4 months of weekly sessions. That will be a great time to check in with your goals and check progress. Maybe things are going great then and you take a break from therapy. It can turn into a “tune up” or maybe you’ll return in the future if you need the space again. Don’t be afraid to bring this up with your therapist!
