So you’re looking for a Therapist (Searching on Psychologytoday.com)
Where do I look for a therapist? Who can help me with…? Isn’t therapy expensive?
These are the common questions you might have in the early process of seeking a therapist. Every journey begins with one step..but in this case it takes a few more steps and some knowledge on what you are looking for/what you are looking at. But don’t worry I’ll break it down for you precisely. (:
Let’s start with where to look.
Since becoming a therapist, I have had numerous friends and acquaintances ask me to help them look for a therapist. With humble success, I have been able to match many of them with therapists that they end up staying with for years. I generally direct them to Psychologytoday.com, although there are other credible therapist directories, which I’ve included in the resources. In this post I will guide you with the tips I use as therapist, that will save you time and money.
Psychologytoday.com is a website that covers mental health topics; and happens to be a directory for therapists. You start by searching your zip code or city. Although with this pandemic, you can be certain that a majority of the therapists are providing telehealth options, (but still ask!). This may even allow you to increase the radius of your search.
2. Filtering Services that meet your needs.
Once you hit search, you will see profiles with pictures, names with credentials, and description of provided services pop up. Read each therapist profile to get a sense of their approach. Take a careful consideration of the list of issues that pertain to you and top three specialities. Check out my other post on understanding the different types of therapists or therapy approaches. On the surface, you can choose to work with a man, woman, or someone that identifies as gender binary. You may even feel more comfortable with someone who shares your own ethnic background. It’s not discrimination, as much as it is finding someone that you feel comfortable opening up to. Still, therapists are mandated to have some training in navigating culturally sensitive topics. After all, their work with you is most effective when there is a mutual willingness to work together and some level of personal connection.
3. Let’s talk about cost.
The filters will allow you to check within your insurance type. But if you are paying out of pocket, see if they have a SLIDING SCALE and ask! This basically means that they are willing to adjust their fee based on your financial needs. It can be intimidating to bargain, but therapy is also about learning to advocate for what you need.
Example 1: A therapist that accepts multiple insurance and sliding scale options.
Example 2: A therapist that does not accept insurance directly, which is considered an “out-of-network provider;” in this case you will have to call your insurance company.
4. Last Step: Reaching out!
There's an “email me” button and/or a phone number listed. Include a brief message of your current issues and availability. Lastly, leave your contact information. They will walk you through the rest, as each therapist has their own protocol. And remember you are interviewing them too, so trust your gut!
Many therapist, like myself offer first free consultations as an opportunity to try it out before you commit.
Contact me to schedule your first meeting. Best of luck! (:
