If you are ready to start therapy but not sure what comes next, here's some tips from a therapist to find the best fit for you!
The first place I recommend starting is by doing some work beforehand and exploring your own intentions for therapy. This will help narrow down your search to the type of therapy you need. Are you looking for support on managing anxiety, postpartum, marriage issues, overcoming trauma, or parenting support? These can all lead to different clinical training and specialities.
Once you have more of an idea of what kind of therapist you're looking for, you're ready to start the search. You can begin by asking those around you; trusted family members or close friends may have personal experience or connections to explore. Other ways to find potential matches are through your insurance directories, EAP directories, Psychology Today, calling a local mental health organization, or getting a doctor's referral. Last but not least, explore social media. Most independent clinicians do most of their own marketing and community connection through their social media platforms. Searching topics from women's therapy to trauma therapy on Instagram or Facebook will also help send you in the right direction. This can also help you get a feel for who they are as people and their business values.
Once you have a few top picks, I would recommend booking a free consultation if provided. Explore the potential therapists website to help gain insight to their approach, experience and personality. It's okay to meet with multiple therapists to get a preview of their therapy approach and ask any questions you have related to your payment, their experiences and overall ensuring they will be a good fit for your therapy needs.
Affordability can be another important piece of finding the right therapist. Some therapists take major insurances or EAP’s and some do not. I find that there are pros and cons to both. For instance, self play clinicians do cost more money upfront but they have shorter waitlists and can be easier to plan for financially due to consistent date and amount being charged. They can also offer environments with narrower specializations, offer sliding scale fees, and most likely offer receipts you can send into your insurance for possible reimbursement. Insurance paneled therapists may fit better in a smaller budget but can often charge at various days due to waiting for insurance approval for the amount still owed, still having to meet high deductibles, and potentially have longer waitlists.
Once you make that first appointment, there is still work to be done to see if it's the right fit. The first few sessions may be spent sharing your story and building your collaborative relationship, making sure your schedules align, creating goals you feel good about, and feeling like you are in a judgment free safe place. If all your criteria is met, you may have a winner. BUT if your first therapist you meet isn’t matching your energy don’t worry, this is NORMAL and sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right therapist!
I hope this helps you on your wellness journey or possibly give you a little nudge in the right direction. Finding the right therapist can be overwhelming, but it is possible!
If you have any questions about our services or feel like one of our therapists is a good fit for you, feel free to schedule a free consultation, a complimentary 4th trimester check up, email or connect with us through our website! We would love to meet you and discuss our services with you!
Danyell Brown LPC-S, LCPC
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