The search for a therapist that fits your needs and clicks with your personality can be a daunting task. It is often difficult to know where to look, to navigate titles and specialties, and to consider how payment will work. Here are some steps to make the task a bit more manageable:
Look for a connection.
Finding someone that you feel like you can trust and are comfortable opening up to is a critical element of therapy. Don’t try to force it, however. Find someone who you are naturally compatible with and have an aptitude for your relationship to grow.
Model how you think about your connection to a therapist to how you think about your connection with a new friend: can you see yourself being comfortable opening up to them? Listen to your gut a bit on this one.
Ask for referrals.
It is exceptionally useful to crowdsource when looking for a new therapist, of course, if you are comfortable. This can come in a variety of ways–asking friends, family, or even browsing the internet. Just because someone you know and trust, however, has a good connection with their therapist does not mean that they are right for you as well. Remember: everyone’s needs and style varies.
Do your research.
Your options are plentiful, but of course rest contingent on numerous factors. Doing research prior to booking will help save you time and spare you some energy. You will be less likely to find any surprises when you get there, and more likely to feel comfortable and prepared going into the first appointment or evaluation.
This also involves determining what kind of professional you would like. The options range from psychologist to social worker to licensed counselor to marriage council to many other variations, each bringing a different skill set to the table.
Look for affordable and/or in network options.
This is for sure an important logistic consideration. It should not run your wallet dry to go to a therapist. Check to make sure that the therapists you are scoping out are either within your insurance network or offer a rate that you find reasonable. Frequently, therapists will offer a sliding scale style of pay where they are willing to adjust their rate based on what the individual client can afford to pay at that time in their life, which is a tremendously helpful option to ask about.