How do you find the best therapist for you?

Finding the right therapist can be challenging. An internet search might turn up many different providers - how do you decide between them all? There are several things to consider in choosing the best therapist for you:

Education and Training. Level of education and training can translate into the quality of therapy, accuracy of assessment, knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practices (e.g. therapy techniques that have been shown to actually work in reputable studies), and the amount of time spent in treatment. Higher education and training often translate into better attention to professional ethics, cultural competence, and awareness of the therapist’s own biases and personal blind spots/limitations. Be sure that your therapist is independently licensed to practice within your state, which means they are subject to laws, rules, and ethics of professional practice (psychologists have the most rigorous licensing standards). This often translates into a better therapy experience for you.

Expertise with the Concerns that Matter to You. Many therapists claim to have expertise treating a wide variety of issues. This may or may not be the case. If you are looking for help with something specific, make sure the provider lists that they treat the condition. Be skeptical of clinicians that say they can do it all (no one can specialize in everything). Some providers offer more intensive services and greater availability than others (e.g., hours, crisis coverage, etc.). Be sure you choose a therapist that can adequately provide the level of care you need. Experienced clinicians with a track record of helping people with the issues that are important to you will likely be more effective.

Cost Effectiveness. Therapy can be expensive. You may not have insurance that covers mental health care and many providers do not take insurance (because of issues related to timely payment and low reimbursement rates). I always recommend people try to find someone who takes their insurance first, just to minimize the cost. However, you may be very limited in the type and/or quality of clinicians available to you from your insurance. Health savings accounts are a great way to pick your provider without being confined to a particular insurance panel. While therapists with more education and experience tend to be more expensive, the value can often be found in terms of better outcomes. Big therapy companies, like the ones that automatically pop-up in search engines, often have lower quality providers. You will have to weigh the pros and cons of different avenues of care and the value you get relative to the cost.

Treatment Planning. Think about what sort of goal you have in seeking therapy and try to get a clearer picture on what you want out of the treatment experience. While no one can guarantee any particular outcome from therapy (it is unethical to do so), therapy should have a direction and an end goal in mind. Some therapists may ascribe to the belief that more treatment is always better. However, that simply has not been shown to be true, and therapy can be harmful in some cases. Look for clinicians who can talk to you about goals for care and reasonable indicators that treatment should end. If you're looking for help with a particular area of concern, ensure you are actually working on that area in treatment (as opposed to just talking about anything/everything).

"Fit" with the Therapist. "Fit" can be a very subjective, but it is very important. We can usually tell if someone is not a good fit for us - trust your instincts. If you are looking for particular characteristics in a therapist, certainly ask about those in advance. But keep in mind - looking for a good therapist is not the same as looking for a friend. Seek a clinician who makes you feel comfortable enough to get vulnerable and share uncomfortable things. Therapy should be an accepting place where you feel free to explore and try on new ideas. Therapy also is a process that should help you find your own answers and solutions that work best for your life, not a place where you get lots of "advice" or hear a lot about the therapist's life or personal opinions. Be sure you can trust that your therapist has the expertise and understanding to help you. Most therapists offer a free consultation - make use of this to check out the "vibe" you get with the particular clinician.

Be Informed and Ask Questions. There is nothing wrong with asking for more information. Pay attention to what your potential says (or does not say). Some good questions might include: "Can you tell me about your training and experience in helping people with this concern?" "How do you keep track of client's progress?" "What sort of policies or fees do you have?" "Can you tell me about your treatment approach and use of evidence-based practices?" It is your therapist's responsibility to inform you of important aspects of care and that you understand and consent to the type of treatment that will occur.

Contact Barron Behavioral Health for a free consultation. Sliding scale fees available.

Additional Resources:

How Do I Find a Good Therapist? (apa.org)

How to Find the Right Therapist | Psychology Today