How Do I Choose the Best Therapist in My Local Area?
Did you know that around 20% of American adults have a mental disorder? If you are dealing with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, it’s important to keep in mind that you aren’t alone.
Some of the best ways to manage your mental health are to exercise, maintain a healthy diet, connect with others, and talk to a therapist.
Going to therapy can help you address symptoms, treat mental illness, gain communication skills, and increase happiness.
Are you wondering how to choose the best therapist? If so, keep reading to learn how to improve your health and wellbeing by working with a therapist.
Consider Who You Will Connect With
Before you start searching for a therapist, you should consider who you will connect the best with. If you don’t feel comfortable with your therapist, you may struggle to build a good relationship.
You may prefer to work with someone of a specific age or gender. If you are religious, you may prefer a therapist that is also religious.
While most therapists usually don’t display every aspect of their lives, most of them provide a short biography. When reading their bio, make sure they are a good fit for you.
You also may want to look for a therapist that fits your mental needs. Whether you are looking for anxiety, marriage, or depression therapists, there are plenty of therapists that can help you.
If you are not sure what type of therapist you would like to work with, you always can say you have no preference. This may change over time as you get used to therapy.
Think About Your Goals
Another good thing to keep in mind before you start searching for a therapist is your goals.
Do you need a therapist to prescribe you medication to deal with a mental illness? Are you looking for someone to vent to? Do you want to participate in a support group with other like-minded people?
Being clear on your goals before you start therapy can make it easier to achieve them. It also can help you choose the right therapist to reach your goals.
Keep in mind that your goals and treatment plan may change as you start working with your therapist.
Check With Your Insurance
When you are ready to start searching for a therapist, you should start by checking with your insurance provider.
Unless you plan on paying for therapy out of pocket, your insurance company can recommend therapists that work with your insurance. Your insurance company may also specify how many appointments they cover per year.
If you would prefer to do online therapy, check with your insurance to see if they cover it. While most insurance companies do, some only cover in-person appointments.
Get Recommendations
After you check with your insurance, you should ask the people you trust for recommendations. Do you have friends or family members that see a therapist? If so, would their therapist work for you?
Your friends and family know you best, and they may be able to tell if a therapist is a good fit for you. Even if they do have recommendations, keep in mind that they may not fully understand your goals or needs.
In addition to friends and family, you also can ask your primary care physician. Because they work in the medical field, they may be able to recommend the perfect therapist for you.
Search Online
Another great place to explore different types of therapy is online. You can search for therapists near you, use an online database, or look for therapists that can help you with specific problems.
If you don’t love the idea of meeting a therapist in person, you also can find therapists completely online. Many therapists use video calling, regular calling, and texting to work with patients.
Working with an online therapist can be convenient if you have a busy schedule or are nervous about going to therapy for the first time.
Check Credentials
Before choosing the right therapist, you should check their credentials to make sure they are a good match for you. All states have different requirements, so it’s a good idea to check with your state before finding a therapist.
Most therapists need to obtain a license, pass a background check, and complete supervised therapy sessions.
Therapists may also need additional credentials to work with children, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and addiction.
Ask Questions
Once you find a therapist that might work for you, you should set up a consultation and ask questions. This is a good time to ask about goals, treatment plans, and qualifications.
You should ask how long the therapist has been practicing, what types of mental illnesses they treat, if they can prescribe medication, and if they accept your insurance.
While asking questions, pay attention to how the therapist responds. If they seem impatient and don’t give you personal responses, it could be best to find a different therapist.
Pay Attention to Your Feelings
When you start working with a new therapist, it’s important to pay attention to how you are feeling. When talking to your therapist, do you feel comfortable, or are you tense?
Do you feel like your therapist listens to you enough? Do they ask the right questions? Do they validate your feelings?
Therapists have different styles and if your current therapist isn’t working for you, it’s okay to change therapist. The goal of therapy is to achieve optimal health, so don’t feel like you need a reason to make a switch.
Are You Ready to Choose the Best Therapist?
Going to therapy is one of the best ways to improve your mental health, increase happiness, and gain new skills. If you are ready to choose the best therapist, keep these tips in mind.
Was this article on choosing a therapist helpful? If so, check out the health category to learn more about maintaining good mental and physical health.
