So you’ve read the first post in this series and you have a general understanding of the lay of the land. You feel ready to take some action and start your search but don’t know where to start.
First, if you are lucky enough to have insurance, check with them first. In-network providers are the cheapest route, if it’s available to you. The trade off of going in-network means that you usually have less options for who you want to work with. Sometimes, workplaces also offer mental health benefits through a separate provider like Lyra. If you have a PPO plan, it’s possible that they will reimburse you part of your fee even if you find an out-of-network provider.
If you have the means to pay out of pocket, you can cast a much broader net. Check out the Therapist Directories. If you have trusted friends, ask who their therapists are and if they have any openings. It’s important to know that in the US, psychotherapy licensing is governed by state, so whatever therapist you find needs to be licensed in your particular state. Here are some questions to reflect on to narrow your search down:
Do you want to see them in person or via telehealth (phone/video)?
Do you feel more comfortable with a therapist of a certain gender?
Would you prefer a therapist around the same age range who feels like a peer, or somebody older? How would you feel if they were noticeably younger than you?
Do you care if they are licensed? Licensed clinicians have passed the licensing exam and usually operate independently. Associates/Interns are not licensed yet and work under a supervisor. While they have less experience they also usually charge a lower rate.
Does it matter to you if your therapist has any shared identities with you? Race/ethnicity, life experience, LGBTQIA+, etc. See my post about cultural sensitivity.
What specific issues are you hoping to address in therapy? Does this therapist specialize in that?
Hopefully this will give you some ideas about what you’re looking for. You can also google “therapist + issue + location” and see what pops up. Look at their photos, read their websites and their bios, and just see who resonates with you. There’s no exact formula to figuring out if you two will get along so don’t feel the pressure to figure it out right away. Most therapists offer a consultation call of some sort where you can feel each other out and see if it would be a good fit.
Then, start contacting the therapists on your list. Unfortunately, it is common to not get a response at all. Many clinicians don’t respond if their caseload is full, or they have a hard time keeping on top of their communications. It’s definitely a frustrating part of the process. For those who do respond, set up a consultation. Shopping around is normal, and a consultation doesn’t mean you’ve committed to this person. Next time I’ll talk more about how to make the most of these initial consultations.
Check out the other posts in this series, “How Do You Find a Therapist?”