Find
a Therapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist,
Counselor or other Mental Health Professionals
Choosing
a therapist, whether in the online
medium or from the phone book, or from
an insurance provider list, can be a
daunting task. Here are a few points to
remember: Find a Therapist: Click
Here
Ask about membership in professional
organizations. Most therapists are
accredited members of national and
international organizations who have
granted membership based on strong
criteria of training and education.
Decide whether you want to see a
therapist in their office
or online.
What is e-therapy? (online
therapy)
Feel
free to interview a prospective
therapist, asking questions about their
style of therapy and training, fee
structure, cancellation policy,
insurance reimbursement, how long they
have been in practice, and if they are
familiar working with the kinds of
issues you wish to present in therapy.
Give some thought to whether you will
feel more comfortable seeing a man or a
woman therapist.
Remember that different people work
together in different ways. You should
feel comfortable with the style of your
therapist. Sometimes it takes a few
"tries" to find a good match.
It is OK to shop around until you find
the right therapist for you.
Expect and demand ethical practices,
especially and including issues of
confidentiality and any form of physical
contact.
Be sure to ask about the therapist's
license. While not all therapists are
required to have licenses by all states,
and while licensure is no guarantee of
quality, it is useful for you to know
that a person receiving a state license
has met the requirements for education
and training mandated by your state. You
can always confirm a license, typically
by contacting your Secretary of State's
office or State Board of Licensing
and/or Certification.
Remember
that therapy, in the hands of a skilled
therapist, is a powerful and
life-changing experience. It has been
shown to be effective for a variety of
illnesses and problems. If you need
therapy and work as an active
participant in your own treatment, you
can expect it will be well worth the
time and money you invest.
If
you are a consumer looking for a
therapist, call 1-866-450-FIND
(1-866-450-3463) or use the "Live
Support" feature at the top of the
page to speak with Customer Service.
