How Do I Even Find a Therapist?
“How Do I Even Find a Therapist?”
How-To Find a Therapist
I LOVE the fact that therapy is becoming a new wave. Not only is it being widely talked about in the media, people are seeking out mental wellness assistance at higher rates than ever before! People are really working to remove the stigma attached to therapy and become the best versions of themselves; it is absolutely beautiful to see! Unfortunately, I have noticed that it is difficult to search for a therapist. I often hear from people who have identified a specific area that they want to improve in, but are lost at where to start. If you have been struggling with this, #ItsNotJustYou!
The Search
So you have decided to try therapy…now what? First of all, congratulations for taking this big step! It is very brave and respectable that you have made the choice to improve and heal. This is important not only for yourself but for the generations to come!
Therapy helps with a wide range of problems including, but not limited to: life transitions, depression, addiction/substance abuse, suicidal ideation, anger, stress management, emotional processing, relationship issues, parenting, familial problems, and self-esteem. You do not need a specific issue to seek therapy. It can be used as a tool to reach any personal goal.
So where do you start? The first place is friends and family. If someone you know is in therapy and achieving positive outcomes, you should ask them to request referrals from their therapist! Your friend or family member may also personally know someone in the field that can give you referrals! The next place is online. There are amazing search engines that have therapist directories. The directories typically include blurbs about the therapists’ specialties, therapy orientations, and photos. If you plan on using your insurance, you can refer to a directory for therapists that are covered under your insurance. You can also ask your primary care physician (PCP) for a list of referrals; most have them in their office.
The next struggle that I see people have is the type of therapist and how to sift through the therapy alphabet soup of credentials.
What are these professional labels?
Psychiatrists (MD) specialize in diagnosis and the treatment of mental illness using psychotropic medication.
Psychologists (PhD, PsyD, EdD) study the human mind and behavior. Psychologists also perform psychological testing and psychotherapy.
Therapists/Counselors (MA, MS, LPC, LMFT) focus on psychotherapy to treat mental illness and enhance mental wellness.
Social Workers (MA, MS, LMSW, LCSW) specialize in psychosocial functioning by helping people function in their environments; sometimes this involves providing talk psychotherapy.
Pastoral counselors (MA, CPT) specialize in the combination of clinical and spiritual counseling skills to increase mental wellness.
It is important to note that a therapist does not need decades of experience to provide quality service. However, it is very important that your therapist is professional, credentialed, and competent. The psychological field is always improving so it is important to have someone that is up-to-date on diagnostic information and treatment options. It is also important to have someone that has common sense and cultural competency, on top of education.
Theoretical Orientations
There are a lot of approaches that have been scientifically proven to assist with the treatment of mental health issues. These different approaches are called theoretical orientations and not every therapist will operate the same. While most therapists are eclectic (meaning that they use a combination of orientations), there are a variety of combinations and it is important to note that while on your search.
Posting every single orientation would make this blog post super long so an oversimplification of the theories is provided below:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Changing thoughts and behaviors to reach your goal
Psychodynamic Therapy
Finding the unconscious motivation to your behaviors
Gestalt Therapy
Searching for meaning/authenticity in yourself by focusing on the present
Solution-Focused
Working on a specific problem, without a deep discussion of the base
The Consultation
It is okay to shop around! You wouldn’t continue to see a gynecologist that you weren’t comfortable with, and you should have the same respect for your mind. After you have made a list of potential therapists, set up some consultations!
During these consultations, you should share your background, what you are struggling with, and your goals for therapy. The therapist should share their specialties, skills, and a little bit about how they feel that they can help you. Once you have done a few of these, choose who you believe will be the best fit and make an appointment!
The First Few Sessions
The first few sessions are where the therapist gets to know you. Research shows that the better the rapport with the therapist, the higher the success of therapy. For this reason, the first few session focus on getting comfortable with each other, setting boundaries, and creating a treatment plan to guide your sessions.
After a Few Weeks
After a few sessions, you should start to feel supported and hopeful. Most therapists will refer to your treatment plan, as should you to ensure that the objectives of therapy are being worked on. Within a few weeks you should begin to feel some sense of control and change. It is important to note that large changes take time. As long as you are seeing progress and no red flags, you should stay consistent in your effort to reach your personal goals.
The End
The length of therapy really depends on you and your goals. Therapy is complete when you feel confident that you have developed the skills to cope with whatever brought you to therapy to begin with. Sometimes your original goals lead to the introduction of new goals and that is okay; this is all about your betterment!
Hopefully all of this information has helped you understand the process of therapy and can be used as guide while you are searching for a therapist. I wish you the best!