Over 198,811 therapists employed in the United States. Also, with nearly 200,000 mental health professionals to choose from, finding a therapist can be challenging, to say the least.
You may currently be in the process of finding a good therapist. Because of this the answers to these questions can help them narrow down your search and choose the best person to meet their needs.
Table of Contents
(click on a question below to be directed quickly)
What should I look for in a therapist?
Should I stick to therapists in-network with my insurance?
Where do I go to look for therapists? What’s the best way?
How important is it for me to like my therapist?
What questions should I ask a counselor to see if we are a good match?
How do I know if I chose the right therapist?
References
What Should I Look for in a Therapist?
Regardless of the type of therapy a person is considering, some overarching attributes should be taken into account when weighing one’s options. The following are some specific characteristics to look for when researching a potential therapist:
Education
In the U.S., each state has its own licensing requirements that therapists must meet before they can legally practice.
The minimum education credential for a therapist is a master’s degree, according to Good Therapy. However, many go on to extend their training and also pursue doctoral degrees.
Experience
Whether they practice mindfulness-based therapy, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or any other type, a good therapist will have experience in that specific field. Also, they will share the amount of experience they have or details about where they gained that experience (working in clinics, recovery centers, etc.).
License and Credentials
Always look into a therapist’s credentials to ensure their license is up to date and that they’re licensed to practice in a specific state. From a marriage and family therapist to a social worker, it should be easy to look online and verify their credentials and legitimacy. Further, insurance will only cover licensed therapists.
Expertise
No matter what kind of therapy they practice, a good therapist will use evidence-based methods. This is because those methods have been proven to help with certain mental health conditions. They shouldn’t go outside of their scope. Instead, they should always refer out when a patient needs help beyond their area of expertise.
Good Personality
In addition to experience and expertise, personality matters for therapists, too. So, patients should consider whether or not their personality matches with their therapist’s. This helps to ensure a cohesive, supportive relationship and can yield better results over time.
Busy and Popular
The best therapists tend to have relatively full schedules and plenty of patients or clients. If someone has a wide-open schedule, that can sometimes be a red flag. This is especially true if they’ve been practicing for a while. However, newer therapists can sometimes be an exception to this rule.
Should I Stick to Therapists In-Network with My Insurance?
For those who are looking to minimize treatment costs and maximize their insurance benefits, it’s best to stay in-network when trying to choose a therapist. Sometimes, though, it can pay off to look outside one’s network.
For example, sometimes people run into situations where all of the in-network therapists for their specific insurance company have long waiting lists or don’t specialize in the type of therapy one is interested in. In these cases, going out of network can provide more benefits and ultimately be worth the extra upfront costs.
Where Do I Go to Look for Therapists? What’s the Best Way?
There’s no denying that counseling is an investment of time, money (the average session costs between $75 and $150, according to this article from Healthline), and energy. Because it requires so much of an investment on the patient’s part, they need to be choosy and choose wisely when they start to look for a therapist.
For those who aren’t sure where to go to find therapists or any other reputable mental health professional, here are some tips that can help:
Seek Friend/Family Referrals
Asking friends or family is a good starting point for a lot of people. This is because if they know of someone else who has been to therapy for similar mental health challenges, getting their opinion can make a big difference. Also, it simplify the search process.
Call Your Insurance Company
If someone is determined to stay in-network, it’s a good idea to consult their insurance company. This helps them to ensure they’re not considering out-of-network therapists.
Talk to the Receptionist at a Clinic
Speaking to a receptionist at a mental health clinic can help potential patients to get a sense of the office enviro