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How Do I Choose a Therapist?
A good fit between you and your therapist is crucial to your having a meaningful and successful experience. There’s no one set criteria that describes great practitionersthe best choice will reflect your specific circumstances, personality, and preferences. As you search the Therapy Directory, keep the following elements in mind; they’ll help you find someone well suited to help you.
Location, Location:
Proximity is importantperhaps more so than you think. If your therapist is too far away, you may find yourself not as committed to the process: "I can't make my appointment today because it's too far..." Location should not become an obstacle. If there are no therapists in your zip code, try those in a town nearby.
Comfort Level:
As you check out a photo profile of a therapist in your area, ask yourself if you think you’d be comfortable opening up to her. Would you feel better with a male or a female therapist? Would you prefer one who speaks a language other than English?
The Right Stuff:
Find a professional who has treated people with problems similar to those you face. Often a therapist focuses on specific issues such as eating disorders, sexual dysfunction, or mood disorders. By using our advanced search you can find therapists who specialize in these areas. Find out what treatment the therapist employs as well as his typical results.
Sometimes a therapist works closely with particular populations, such as adolescents, gay couples, or people of particular religious backgrounds.
Psych Basics:
All Directory therapists are trained and licensed. But to decipher a provider's credentials and differentiate psychologists and psychiatrists from family therapists and social workers, see our glossary links above.
The Methods:
Therapists have different methods and orientations. All can be effective, but you may find one or another particularly appealing. If you want to learn more about therapy methods, see our treatment applications page.
Trial Period:
Contact two or three therapists who seem to be a good fit and schedule initial appointments. You will most likely get voicemail, as therapists are often in session during the day. Don't hang up; leave your name and number.
On Your First Visit:
Ask yourself, "Do we click?" Do I feel a connection? Do I respect this person?” For you to reveal yourself, you will need to feel safe and at ease. If it doesn’t feel right, move on to the next one.
Sharing Values:
Something to consider during your initial visit is whether the therapist shares your values and beliefs. You are building a relationship, so starting at the core is important. If struggling with a partner in a relationship has brought you to therapy, for example, you certainly want to know how the therapist feels about cohabitation before marriage.
Too Eager?
A therapist shouldn't be too eager to please. Though you want a connection with a therapist, you don’t want someone who never challenges you. If you suffer from self-esteem problems, for example, you won’t be helped if the therapist does nothing more than flatter you. Improving your mental health is hard work on your part, and you’ll want a therapist who facilitates your efforts.
In The Pocket:
When you do settle on a therapist, you’ll need to agree on a fee. You may want to inquire about whether the therapist offers a sliding-scale arrangementa flexible fee schedule adjusted to your needs or income.
In- and Out-of-network:
You’ll also want to see if your insurance will cover your therapy. Make a list of questions, including how many visits the insurer will pay for, whether the carrier covers only a percentage of the costs, the difference between providers who are in-network and out-of-network, and whether primary care physician approval is required for you to be covered. Check our insurance guide for help understanding various plans.
Co-pay:
After the carrier has answered all your queries, ask your therapist about coverage, too. Bring up matters such as co-payment, how other patients handle insurance and payment, and whether your diagnosis will go on your record. Arm yourself with information and the therapist can help address all of your monetary concerns.