Choosing a Therapist
How To Choose The Right Therapist For You
Reaching out for help can be scary and put us in a vulnerable position. Typically individuals feel that to see a counselor or therapist they have to be in some kind of “crisis”, but many people can also benefit from extra support or help for every day things like learning how to manage stress in a healthier way or figuring out new coping skills for anxiety.
The Coronavirus Pandemic is like nothing we have experienced in our lifetimes, and if you find yourself thinking you could benefit from speaking to a counselor, here are some tips or suggestions on how to find the best one for you
1. Ask family or friends for suggestions/resources - they might already be seeing a therapist or can recommend an office to you.
2. Google search practices near you - they may also have ratings and reviews available for you to see.
3. Contact your insurance company for referrals (they can tell you who is accepting new clients/specialties) - if you do not have insurance you can also go to Psychology Today and find listings for local therapists in your area. Many counselors offer private payor sliding scale rates.
4. Get educated about the different license types. A counselor/therapist must have a minimum of a Master’s Degree, but you can also see a Psychologist who has a Ph.D., or a psychiatrist who is a medical doctor and only prescribes medication but typically does no talk therapy. There are also different Masters Level License Types (Licensed Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, etc). Figure out which one would be best for you.
5. Do some research - look up the therapist online and check out their website/credentials. Make sure they specialize in what you are looking for and that you feel you will be able to connect with them.
6. Reach out to the one(s) you finalize on and see if you can have a quick phone consult –
some good questions would be about their schedule(s), how quickly you can get in if they have worked with your issue/problem before, what to expect with the process of counseling, their preferred model(s) of therapy,
7. Go with your gut. If you have an initial intake session with a counselor and feel it is not the best fit; that is OKAY! Don’t give up and try another one - you will find one that you connect with and can help you handle whatever you are going through!
Just remember to keep your ultimate goal(s) in mind. When you find the right therapist, they will help you come up with a plan and provide you with the tools you need to improve your situation and live your best life! If you have any questions or would like some resources, please feel free to reach out to me.
You can find Stephanie at Lifeworks Counseling Center in Carrollton TX.
Stephanie Richards LPC
Director of Membership