How to Find a Therapist Thats Right for You

How to Find a Therapist Thats Right for You BPD Treatment Print How to Find a Therapist Thats Right for You By Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Eastern Connecticut State University. Learn about our editorial policy Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault, PhD Updated on February 22, 2020 Universal Images Group / Getty Images More in BPD Treatment Diagnosis Living With BPD Related Conditions Finding a therapist is not always an easy task. With all the different mental health providers to choose from, it can be a confusing, time-consuming, and frustrating process. Armed with a little bit of information, you can start psychotherapy with someone who is just right for you. Know What You Are Looking For Before you start looking for a therapist, the first step is figuring out what you want and need. Make sure to jot down notes so that you can communicate your needs effectively when you start your search. Before you begin, research and think about each of the factors listed below. Your Needs Consider where you are in the process of seeking treatment. Think about what it is that you want and need right at this moment in terms of support. If you are in crisis, dont wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you are in the United States, you can call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK. If you are not in a crisis but have never seen a mental health provider before, you will need to first see someone for a full assessment to understand your diagnosis and develop a clear treatment plan. If you have already had a diagnosis, you may be thinking about finding someone to do long-term psychotherapy with. If you already have a long-term therapist, you might decide youd like to see a different therapist to do some short-term work on a specific issue. If thats the case, talk to your current therapist about your needs. They may even have a colleague who does the work youre hoping to undertake. Tips For Finding a Therapist When Youre a Highly Sensitive Person Location and Availability Make sure that the therapist youre considering has availability that matches your schedule. Also, consider where the therapists office is located in relation to where you live. Scheduling and location may be more important than you think. Remember: therapy only works if you are able to consistently keep your appointments. How far are you willing to travel?Do you need a therapist who is accessible by public transportation?Are you willing to travel a greater distance for a therapist who has special expertise or is an especially good match personality-wise?Is convenience more important than other factors? Therapist Payment Psychotherapists can accept different payment options, so it is important to know how and how much you would like to pay. If you have health insurance, start by calling your insurance company and inquiring about your mental health benefits. Questions to Ask Your Insurance Provider Do you cover outpatient treatment? How many sessions are covered? Will I have a copayment? If your insurance only covers certain therapists, the insurance company will be able to provide you with a list of approved providers. Some therapists only accept patients who are paying out-of-pocket. In this case, most will provide a receipt that you may be able to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You can inquire about whether they will consider a lower fee if the cost is above your means. Understanding Copayments and Coinsurance Type and Level of Expertise Another factor to consider is what type and level of expertise you are looking for in a therapist. Think about the problems you need help with. There may be therapists who specialize in these concerns. Even if you arent sure exactly what you want to work on (and this is something a therapist can help you figure out), try to have a general idea of your goals for therapy. You should know, though, that expertise can often be related to higher costs of service. Although this is not always the case, you should expect to pay more if you are only willing to work with a therapist of very high-level expertise. When considering the level of expertise, remember that there are a wide variety of types of mental health providers with different types of training. More training does not necessarily mean that a therapist is more skillful, but consider whether you have a preference, and learn more about the types of mental health providers available. How Psychologists Are Trained Therapist Orientation Different therapists come from different schools of thought about how therapy works and what methods produce the best outcomes. These schools of thought are called orientations. There are many orientations and some therapists subscribe to more than one. For example, a therapist with a cognitive-behavioral orientation believes that thoughts and behaviors are tied to symptoms. They conduct therapy aimed at changing problematic behaviors and ways of thinking directly (usually through homework and in-session exercises). In contrast, a therapist with a psychodynamic orientation believes that symptoms are related to processes outside of a clients awareness which will come to light through interactions with the therapist. What Does a Therapist Do? Think a little about what might be most comfortable or the best match for you, and be sure to ask any potential therapist about their orientation and how they would describe their approach to therapy. Start Your Search Once you have a good idea about what you are looking for, it is time to find a therapist. In addition to your insurance company, you can ask for referrals from friends, family, your primary care physician, or other treatment providers. The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies and the American Psychological Association offer excellent online resources to help you find a therapist. When you call potential therapists, have your prepared list of questions and notes on hand. Try to ask all of the questions, even if you are feeling intimidated. Questions to be sure to ask include fee payment, scheduling, training, expertise, and experience in the area you would like to work on. Questions to Ask Your New Therapist Therapist Shopping Therapist shopping is a perfectly acceptable practice. It takes time to find the therapist who is right for you. You need to think about your needs Youll likely need to talk to several potential candidates on the phone or through email to see if they meet your needs. You may decide to meet with several possible therapists before you find the best fit. What Happens In Therapy?