Finding a therapist can seem like a daunting task. It is the first obstacle to overcome in order to start your therapy journey. Here are some things to consider and tips for finding someone that is a good fit for you! 

A Few Considerations

Therapist Characteristics

One way to narrow or focus your search involves considering a fit based on the individual themselves. These could be things like gender or age. Ask yourself: Do you prefer a male or female identifying clinician? Do you want to work with someone that is older or younger than you? Is it important to you that they identify with and can incorporate your religious values? Much of this information can be gleaned from a therapist’s online listing or website. If you aren’t sure, you can ask them!

Location

Location is another important consideration, especially in the age of virtual healthcare. Where do you want to be when your therapy session occurs? These days, more and more, therapy is being offered via telehealth. Is it important to you to be in-person with a therapist or do you prefer the flexibility of online sessions? There are pros and cons to each and both can be highly effective. If you are looking for in-person meetings, do you want someone close to your home? Close to your office? Outside of your town completely for increased privacy? How far are you willing to travel for sessions? If you prefer online, do you have a private space and reasonable internet connection for private, uninterrupted conversations? Answering these questions will help you determine the best fit for you when it comes to considering location of the therapist.

Insurance

Do you want to use your insurance? Many people need or want to utilize insurance benefits when paying for sessions. If that’s you, you’ll want to find out if the therapist you are considering accepts your insurance. If you don’t want or need to use your insurance, all you’ll want to find out is your therapist's rate and what your budget is for therapy. Some therapists offer a sliding scale rate and some will provide you with information so you can ask your insurance company for reimbursement after you pay out of pocket. 

Where to Find a Therapist

Logistically - where do you go to find someone? One way to find a therapist, if you are using insurance, is through your insurance plan’s website or customer service center. There, you will find directories of providers in-network and in your area. Online listings are another great and very common way to find clinicians. Two such listing sites are Psychology Today and Therapy Den. Another great resource can be your state’s psychological association’s website. If you are in Delaware, like me, that would be the Delaware Psychological Association. 

Is the Therapist a Good Fit?

At the end of the day, the most important factor to consider when choosing a therapist is fit. Essentially that means, does this person feel like a good fit for you? The answer to that question usually comes from experiencing interactions with the person. Do you feel safe with them? Do you feel comfortable opening up to them and discussing the concerns you want to address? 

You can start to assess this when you see a therapists’ online listing, website, or office space. Many therapists will talk with you for a brief (we are talking only ten minutes) conversation to answer any questions you might have about getting started. That is an excellent way to have a short interaction with someone and see how you feel. Sometimes, it can take a meeting or several meetings to really understand how it is to work with someone. I really encourage you to speak up if you aren’t comfortable or make a change if it doesn’t feel right. Personally, I always check in with people when I first meet them to see how they feel and if they have any reservations or thoughts about needing a different type of support. I’d much rather a client end a relationship with me to find a best fit therapist and really get the most of their therapy experience.

A Poor Fit

It can be really hard to get started,  open up to someone, and then if it doesn’t go well, have to make a change and do it all over again. That can absolutely happen and it sucks when it does. It’s hard to make the time or trust the next person will be better. But if you find yourself in this boat, I encourage you to give it another try with a new person when you are ready and able. It can be so worth it in the end when you find someone you click with and are able to address the things you want in the space that feels most comfortable. 

There’s lots of information and tips for getting started on this page, and if you feel like I might be a good fit for you - you can email me! Wherever your journey takes you, I wish you well.