It’s a challenge to find a therapist who is a perfect fit. Finding a therapist is an important process because therapy can be truly life-changing, and there are many choices you can make. In the field, we know that each of us is not the perfect match for everyone, so we are quite happy when someone is intentional and careful when deciding how to find a good therapist for them. I am impressed that you found my site and this page – you are working to be informed, which is excellent! And if you find a psychologist who is a great match, and it happens to be me, I’ll be humbled and happy to help.
Your search to find a psychologist or social worker can be based on location, style preferences, clinical approaches matching your presenting challenges, clinician qualities, and specific needs. I’d be happy to discuss this with you if you’d like, even if I may not be the right fit geographically or if you are looking for a specialty I do not provide. Finding a therapist is an important decision. Here are a few steps to help you get started:
Find a Therapist, Step One: Your Needs
The first step in finding a therapist is identifying your needs and what type would best fit. You should research and determine what type of therapy you’re looking for (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis methods, etc.). You can browse my blog and other sources to understand the available therapy types. Your needs may be quite specific, such as fear of flying or public speaking anxiety, or more general, such as just not feeling satisfied with life or having a general sense of anxiety.
Then, consider specific preferences, such as gender, cultural background, or age. These considerations may not mean anything to you in your search to find a therapist, but some people feel more understood when they share the same gender as their therapist. In contrast, others prefer finding a therapist of a different gender to help them gain new perspectives. For many, gender is less important than the overall fit. Finding a good therapist involves listening to your gut about these issues.
Tips For Step One:
- Word of mouth is often the best way to find a good therapist, not just to get specific names. You can also use word of mouth to find someone who offers a specific approach that works for someone you know or provides therapy in a certain way (virtual, for example). This is particularly true if the person shares some of the same reasons for pursuing therapy as you do.
- As strange as it sounds, you may want to ask people you are close to what you need. You certainly know yourself best, but sometimes, other people may have ideas for what you could work on. This may be especially true if they’ve had therapy themselves before.
- The psychologist or social worker may also have ideas about your needs that may initially sound counterintuitive. As they get to know you, she or he may be able to give you ideas of how therapy can help.
Find a Therapist, Step Two: Research and Referrals
Many ways exist to generate a list of possible clinicians when finding a therapist. You can start by asking your primary care physician for recommendations or seek referrals from friends, family, or colleagues who have had positive experiences. You can also use online resources like Psychology Today, Well respected ZenCare , or GoodTherapy can help you find a psychologist or therapist. Browsing the web is an excellent idea to find a psychologist or social worker as well, but it is important if you do so to know how to read into their credentials (see next paragraph). Finally, consider logistics. For example, distance is important when finding a therapist for in-person therapy.
A Deeper Look to Find a Therapist
Once you have your list, ensure the person is licensed and accredited by relevant professional associations in your country or state. In any state, this is an easy web search of, for example, “(your state), psychologists, licensure.” Look for membership in state and national organizations in their specialty. There are higher levels of accreditation as well – for psychologists, look for someone who is Certified as a Health Service Provider, for example. Finding a psychologist involves knowing how many years they’ve been in practice and how many people they’ve seen.
Tips for Step Two:
- When you set out to find a psychologist or social worker, pay attention to how much time they put into their online profiles. Look for those willing to share significant information and have kept it updated.
- Years of experience may be a significant factor if you want to find a good therapist, but do not make it the only one. Clinicians go through many years of supervised training before they can practice, and even more to practice independently.
- Weigh the length of the waitlist against the potential match. It may be worth waiting to find a psychologist or social worker you think is a perfect fit rather than finding someone who can see you quickly. Remember that a wait list means many people want to see that clinician!
Finding a Therapist, Step Three: Contact and Consult
In your search to find a good therapist, you are close! Now, you need to contact potential clinicians via phone or email to ask about their availability, fees, and approach to therapy. Schedule consultations with a few therapists to see who you feel most comfortable with – most of us offer a 10-15 minute consult. Make sure everything you’ve done in the initial steps rings true with that person, and then trust your gut! Finding a therapist you feel comfortable talking to and who seems to understand your concerns is vital. My post about “How to Choose the Right Therapist” has more information about this step.
Tips for Step Three:
- Psychological testing can be a helpful step if you want to clarify your challenges and needs. Find a psychologist who does testing if you think this would help.
- Many clinicians offer sliding-scale fees or financial assistance, so don’t hesitate to ask about this if cost is a concern. However, they cannot give you a break on co-insurance or co-pays.
- Geography may or may not be a problem – you need to decide if virtual therapy is for you. With the virtual option, you’ll have a much wider variety to find a good therapist.
- It is okay to be unsure of your therapist’s therapeutic approach. You can find a psychologist or two who offer different approaches and schedule consultations with them.
How to Find a Good Therapist: More Details
Finding a therapist who is a good fit for your needs can be a crucial step in improving your mental health and well-being. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to approach the process of finding a good therapist:
Find a Psychologist or Social Worker with the Right Approach
Types of Therapy: Determine what kind of therapy or counseling you need. Finding a good therapist with the right approach is vital. Common major forms of therapy include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing unhelpful thought patterns.
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores unconscious patterns rooted in past experiences.
- Humanistic Therapy: Centers on self-growth and personal understanding.
- Couples Treatment/Family Therapy: Helps navigate relationship issues.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Addresses PTSD, abuse, or significant traumas.
- Art/Music Therapy: Combines creativity with therapeutic approaches.
Understanding what kind of help you seek can guide you to finding a therapist specializing in relevant approaches.
Find a Therapist: Credentials and Licensing
- Common types of licensed professionals include:
- Psychologists (PhD or PsyD): Specialize in psychotherapy and psychological testing. They must first complete three years of schooling that include some supervised practice, two years of heavily supervised full-time practice, and another year of practice before they can be licensed.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW): Focus on psychotherapy and case management. LCSWs (and LISCSWs after they are licensed) have two years of school with some clinical practice and two years of supervised full-time practice before they can be licensed.
- Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT): Specialize in relational therapy, and have approximately the same schooling and supervision as social workers.
- Psychiatrists (MD): Medical doctors who can prescribe medication alongside therapy.
After you find a therapist you like, you may want to ensure the professional you choose holds a current license by checking their status with your state’s or country’s licensing board.
Find a Therapist: Accessibility and Logistics
- Location: Decide whether you want to meet in-person or online. Some people prefer face-to-face sessions, while others are comfortable with virtual therapy, which can be more convenient and accessible. Finding a psychologist or therapist near you if you want in-person can be a challenge.
- Availability: Make sure the therapist’s hours align with your schedule. Some may offer evening or weekend appointments.
- Language and Culture: If relevant, seek a therapist who understands your cultural, linguistic, or personal background, which may lead to a more effective therapeutic relationship.
Find a Good Therapist By Interviewing
Before committing, contacting a few therapists to see if they are a good match for you is fine. When trying to find a good therapist consider asking questions like:
- What’s your approach to therapy?
- What kind of experience do you have with my specific issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma)?
- How long do you typically work with clients?
- What is your availability and how do you handle emergency situations?
Many therapists offer free initial consultations so you can get a feel for their style and determine if you feel comfortable with them.
Be Open to Change
If, after a few sessions, you feel that the therapist isn’t a good fit, it’s okay to switch. Therapy is most effective when you feel a strong connection with your therapist, so don’t hesitate to try someone new if necessary.
By understanding your needs, researching your options, and taking the time to find a good therapist for you, you can greatly improve your therapy experience and the effectiveness of the treatment
Conclusions and My Work
The process to find a good therapist might take some time, and it’s okay to consult different therapists to see who best meets your needs. Unlike other fields, therapists have no competition – we want people to find a therapist that is the best fit for them, even if it is not us. We don’t take it personally when you choose someone else and instead hope that you will find that that person truly helps.
If You Find a Psychologist and It’s Me
I am humbled and honored when people consider me to possibly be their therapist. I take that responsibility seriously because it is such an important decision. I always offer a free consultation where we can talk about the integrative approaches I use and other possibilities that may be out there. I want you to find a therapist that is a perfect match!
If you’d like more information about my therapeutic approaches, background, or anything else about me, please feel free to contact me. If you just want to talk through how to find a therapist, even if I may not be a fit, that is fine, too!
