Finding the right therapist is an important first step in healing. During your search, you may have many questions. A good place to start is by asking for referrals from friends and family. You can also use an online therapist directory. Other resources include college or university counseling centers and community mental health organizations.
Ask for Referrals
A therapist’s client base grows through referrals from other therapists, medical doctors, and other professionals who work with clients, including religious leaders, school counselors, and nutritionists. Referrals can also come from existing patients who recommend the practice to their friends and family. Developing solid relationships with these individuals is key to growing your referral network.
Many therapists find that they must make referrals, especially in the case of new clients whose needs the therapist is ill-equipped to address. While finding a good fit can take some trial and error, referring the individual to someone who can better meet their therapeutic needs will help them get on the road to recovery sooner.
When making a referral, consider the person’s gender, age, religion, cultural background, and the type of therapy they are seeking. There are numerous types of treatment, so it’s important to explain what kind of New York City therapy practice you think would best suit the individual you are recommending.
You should also give the therapist all the information they need before making a referral, including contact details, fee schedules, and insurance options. This way, they can prepare to meet with the client and ensure their services will be covered. It’s also helpful to include a link to an online appointment booking tool in your email so the therapist can easily book appointments with their new client.
Look for Experience
It would help if you met a mental health professional with experience treating the problems you want to address. Ask friends, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals for recommendations during your search. You can also find providers online using search tools that help you match with therapists based on your concerns.
Credentials and insurance coverage are important, too. The American Psychological Association suggests looking for therapists licensed in your state with specific training in the type of therapy you seek. Many therapists will post their licensure, degrees, and areas of specialization prominently on their websites or other marketing materials. Others may provide links to their professional associations that allow you to search by type of therapist, license status, and area of specialty.
Other practical considerations include whether a therapist sees patients at times that fit your schedule. If you have a limited budget, consider finding a provider who offers a sliding fee scale or works at an agency that accepts your preferred payment method. Also, remember that you may need to visit a few therapists before you find the right one for you, so don’t get discouraged by some early disappointments. Trust your gut — if you have a bad feeling about a therapist, it’s probably best to move on.
Look for Credentials
If a friend or medical professional has recommended a therapist, it’s a good idea to research their credentials. You can learn more about the therapist’s background by reading their biography on their website and searching online for information on their education, training, and clinical experience. The more informed you are about a therapist’s qualifications, the more confident you are that they can help you with your specific concerns.
You should also consider whether they accept your insurance and how much you will pay per session. Many therapists run private practices and have to keep track of their expenses, income, and other financial information.
Lastly, consider the therapist’s proximity to your home or office and their hours of operation. You want to avoid driving an unreasonable distance to get counseling, especially if uncomfortable with a provider.
Many therapists will offer a free phone or in-person consultation before scheduling your first appointment, which can help determine if you’re a good fit for one another. You can share a bit about yourself during this time and ask any questions. Lastly, you can find out more about their approach to therapy by asking them about what kinds of tools they use in their practice.
Look for a Fee Schedule
Many therapists have several rates. For example, they may have one rate for individual therapy and another for couples or family therapy. Some have a sliding scale that reduces the fee based on income. Others accept insurance. Still, others have flat fees. It’s important to find an affordable therapist who works within your budget.
If you need clarification on what type of therapist is right for you, ask your doctor for a recommendation. They can connect you with someone with professional expertise to help with your concerns, and they can also share whether that therapist takes your insurance.
Once you’ve narrowed your options, remember how you feel during your first visit. Does the therapist welcome you warmly and put you at ease? Do they listen closely and understand your concerns? Research suggests that the relationship between a patient and therapist is key to getting the most out of treatment.
If a therapist says they can’t help you, that may be because your symptoms are outside their scope of practice or because they lack the training and experience to address them. If you’re looking for a therapist to treat certain issues, like anxiety, depression, or PTSD, check to see whether they specialize in these conditions.
