Tips for Finding a Therapist

I can honestly say that starting therapy has been one of the best things I’ve done for myself. I’ve been going for a little over a year and don’t know how I went so long without it. It gives me a safe space to open up, discover things I didn’t realize were impacting me, and gives me tools to work through problems when I’m not sitting on the couch.

It’s important to note, there is no right or wrong way to go about this. I just want to share some general tips that worked for me in finding someone to talk to.  

• Ask for recommendations.

  Do you have a close friend or family member in therapy? Would you feel comfortable opening up to them and see if they, or their therapist, would have any recommendations for you?  Would they be open to talking with you about their experience?
  
  When I first started to look into therapy, I asked a very close friend if her therapist had any recommendations for someone I could see. She knew a bit about my situation and knew what I was looking for. While it didn’t work out for me to see the recommended person, it gave me more of a starting point. 
  
  You may not feel comfortable opening up and that is totally okay. It can be scary being that vulnerable. The next tip may be more helpful for you.

• Psychologytoday.com

  Psychologytoday.com is an awesome website for finding someone to talk to. Right at the top it directs you to “Find a Therapist”. Under that tab, it allows you to search Therapists, Psychiatrists, Support Groups and Treatment Centers in your area. You can also further refine your search by insurance, specific issues, age, gender, etc.
  
  I ultimately ended up finding my therapist through this site. It was extremely helpful in finding someone with a location that wasn’t too far away and took my insurance.

• Trust Your Gut.

  My current therapist is not the first one I went to. My first ever therapy session did not go well. Granted, I had never been to therapy before, so I had no real idea what to expect. I knew it would probably be hard, I had some tough stuff to work through. However, after walking away from that initial session, I knew it wasn’t the right fit.
  
  It is important to keep in mind you are building a relationship, and as with any relationship, trust is a vital element. Even when things get a bit uncomfortable in therapy, overall, you should feel comfortable and trust the person in the room with you. If things don’t feel right, it might not be a good fit, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to try someone else. I’m so glad I trusted my gut and found someone who is a great fit for me and my needs.

The hardest part is starting. With the current COVID-19 pandemic still in effect, I understand it’s not possible to go into offices for appointments. However, now is a great time to get started in finding someone. Also, lots of options can be done via phone or video chats!