How to Find a Therapist

  Since I can't be available to everyone for individual sessions  :-)  I thought I'd jot down a few pointers for those who are looking to find a therapist of their own. It's a very personal and often difficult decision. I can't help you decide who to see, but I can give you a framework to decide for yourself.

  I would recommend starting with what you would like to change about yourself or your situation. Do you need relationship counseling? Therapy for anxiety or depression? Counseling for your child or teenager? Therapists often specialize in specific fields, so you should choose one with knowledge or experience in your area.  Here are a few ways to locate a therapist with your preferred area of expertise:


  Using Google or another search engine, combine search terms like “therapist” and “counseling” with your particular need and zip code. (Example: Counselor OCD 76103). 


  Psychologytoday.com has an excellent database for finding therapists in your region with information on all their areas of expertise. (I know this because I'm listed there!) The site also provides information on what the costs might be, and whether or not they will take your insurance.  My favorite part, though, is that Psychologytoday.com also allows each therapist to write a personal statement that can help you understand his or her philosophy of care.


  A third option that is still good, if old-fashioned, is the phone book. You can find several listings in your area under “Counseling Services.” The phone book will have less up-front information, but you have the benefit of talking to a real person on the phone when you call, which allows you to ask more specific questions.


  The second step is to check the qualifications of the therapist that interests you. Each state has slightly different rules about how its counselors are certified, but each should have a way to verify those licensed to practice.  Look up “[your state] counselor license” in a search engine and you should find a link that will take you to the state board of counselor examiners, which lists each counselor by name and license number. Another thing you are likely to see while you’re researching potential therapists are various letters after their names.  These letters represent their particular license type or degree. Here’s a sample:


Psy.D. – Doctor of Psychology, a relatively new doctorate tailored more specifically for people who want to provide counseling services.
M.D. – Psychiatrist, the only type of mental health professional allowed to prescribe medication. Generally psychiatrists will be more focused on pharmacological therapy (drugs) than talk therapy, although there are rare exceptions.
LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor. This license is earned after a master’s degree in psychology or a related field. There are other similar names for this, like LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) and LPCC (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor).
LPC-Intern – Licensed Professional Counselor Intern. This person has completed at least a master’s degree and passed the licensing exam for their state. They must complete a certain number of hours counseling while supervised by a licensed counselor before they are granted a license. They generally cost less than LPCs who already have their license.
LADC – Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Substance addiction differs from typical problems in therapy, and this additional training is important if that is your area of need.
LMFT – Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Regular LPCs and LPC-Interns also see couples and families, but this person has additional training in this area.         

              

          There are so many more types of licensure available than could be represented here, so if you find something you don't understand, please don't feel uncomfortable in looking it up. It's important that you know!


         The next step in finding the right therapist actually occurs during the first visit to the office of the therapist you’ve chosen. Here’s what is normal to expect in the paperwork or initial session:

        Questions about your background, including past trauma.
        Current medications.
        Establishing a fee.
        Who you would like your emergency contact person to be.

·      
         The paperwork should also cover your right to confidentiality and exceptions to those rules. Unless you are underage, your sessions are completely confidential. The only exceptions to this rule are generally if a therapist discovers abuse of an elder, child or disabled person, if you are suicidal, or if a judge waives confidentiality and orders disclosure. Should there be any other exemptions from confidentiality, ask for the rationale behind them. You should make sure you’re comfortable with the reason before you see this counselor.


         The last step deals with the first time you meet with a counselor. Be sure to pay close attention to your initial reaction to that person.

·           Do they make you feel safe? Are they comfortable with your questions? 

·           When they talk to you, do you feel like it’s a conversation of equals, or are you being “talked down” to? 

·           Does their style of counseling suit you as a person?'

            

         If you get to the point of meeting with a counselor, or even after you've seen them for a session or two, but still don't feel comfortable, start the process over with someone else. In the end, you came for help.  You deserve to get the most effective help possible. It's okay, we can handle the rejection. 

 If you liked what you saw, or have any questions, please let me know! You can subscribe or comment below.

'Til Next Session

       Stephanie Ann Adams