FAQ: Finding the right therapist is like finding the right kind of shoes.

I get this question a lot so here is my post about how to find someone who's right for you.

Finding a therapist is sort of like a mix between finding a doctor/dentist and finding a good teacher/coach. It's much more nuanced and incredibly personal.

If this is your first time finding a therapist, the process can be daunting. 

Here are some questions that can help to guide you:

Where do I start?

There are several therapist directories available online- the most popular include: Psychology Today, Therapy Den, and for lower fee rates, Open Path. You can type in your zip code and browse many therapist pages and bios. Read them over to see if any of their profile's resonate with you.

You can also check out your insurance providers list. Often times your insurance will have a whole list of providers that are within network. That way, you can find a therapist that will take your insurance plan. You can also check out referral services like Headway that allow you to type in your insurance and search for a therapist whose within network.

Insurance or Private Pay?

Depending on your circumstances, one may be better than the other. If you would like to use your insurance, you can find these resources online through your company's website or calling the number on the back of the card and learning about how much your co-pay would be for each session. These can range anywhere from $5-40/session as each insurance plan is different.

Check out your work to see if you have an EAP, which typically allows a person to receive free sessions that are already covered and included in your work employee benefits.

For private pay, you can pay out of pocket or even with an FSA account. The benefit of this option allows you to find the right therapist for you, even if they may be out of network. 

Often times, you can actually get reimbursement from your insurance for these "out of network"  therapists. Depending on your insurance plan, they may reimburse up to a certain percentage for the sessions. If you notice that a therapist does not take insurance, they'll typically offer something called a superbill which allows you to receive reimbursement through your health coverage.

What is Sliding Scale?

If you notice the term "sliding scale" on a therapist's website, that means that they offer discounted rates that are specifically set aside for people that cannot afford the full fee. That way, it could be an option for you to still benefit from sessions without having your finances get in the way. Ask the therapist about it as they can sometimes work with you and your situations, with some sessions even offered free of charge.

Who you want to work with matters tremendously in the success of your therapy. 

Finding the right fit also means finding the person who you feel comfortable with. Sometimes age, gender, lived experience, and areas of expertise really matter to a person. 

Go out and find that for yourself if that's what you need! 

Do I want to keep talking to this person? Do they make me feel safe?

Research shows that the relationship between client and therapist significantly impact how successful the therapy is. In my experience, it's because a person is more likely to take their sessions seriously, be more open and vulnerable, and be more willing to trust the therapist. A free consultation call is a great way to get more of a feel about whether or not this person may be a good fit for you. You'll get more of a sense of their style, their humor, their personality, etc.

 You can also let them know if it starts to feel like it's not a good fit after a few sessions. Hopefully they can address these concerns or even refer you to someone who might be just the person you're looking for. After all, as therapists we are not one-size-fits-all. 

We're more like shoes! We are specialized in what your looking for, individualized in our styles, and must make the person feel comfortable (or else it can be painful), and much like shoe shopping, it's okay to try things on to just see what feels right and find what works for you. I know it can seem like a lot but you'll be glad that you can call someone "your therapist" when life inevitably demands more support.  

Schedule a consult today.