Ready to Start Therapy? Here’s How to Find the Right Therapist for You
You’ve decided to talk to a mental health professional, congratulations! That’s a huge and courageous step. One of the most important (and often most challenging) parts of starting therapy is finding a therapist who feels like the right fit. With so many licensed professionals out there, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming. As a therapist, I always encourage people to book consultations with more than one provider before choosing. To make your search easier, I’ve put together some considerations to look out for when choosing a therapist.
- Coverage
- If you have health coverage or workplace benefits, check which therapists your plan covers. Therapy can be expensive, and using your benefits can help make it more affordable.
- Location
- Do you want to meet in person at a therapist’s office, or would you rather have a virtual session from your couch? Knowing your preference matters, especially since some therapists—particularly after COVID—offer only virtual sessions.
- Consultation
- Do they offer a free consultation? I believe every ethical therapist should offer a short, no-cost meeting to help you both see if you’re a good fit. Therapists train in different areas and focus on different issues, so your needs might not match their expertise. A consultation helps you figure that out before committing.
- Cost
- Just like with consultations, make sure you know how much a therapist charges. Don’t assume a higher fee means better quality. Therapists vary in experience, and their fees depend on whether they set their own rates or work for a clinic. If you’re on a budget, look for someone who offers sliding-scale rates based on income. Most therapists include this information on their website.
- Where to look
- You can definitely use keywords in google to search based on area or specialty, however there are database websites like Psychology Today that have it all.
- Modality
- What type of therapy do you want? Do you want traditional talk-therapy, art-therapy, a specific modality? These should all be clearly listed on a therapist’s website.
- Regulated
- Is the therapist part of a regulatory body? These groups make sure therapists follow rules and provide safe, professional care. It is really important your therapist is registered. For example, in Canada, social workers must be registered in their province and will have “RSW” (Registered Social Worker) next to their name.
I hope this helps you on your journey for mental-health support. Congratulations on taking the next step in your journey.
Written by Alana Kaplan, Director of Mental Health for The Global Resilience Project.