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How to Choose a Therapist

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:

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.

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 should see a man or a woman in 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.

Tips On Choosing A Therapist

What Type Of Therapist Do You Need?

There are many types of licensed mental health professionals, differing in educational backgrounds, training, licensure, philosophy, and technique.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medication. Very few psychiatrists also provide psychotherapy but usually refer to and work in conjunction with other psychotherapists.
• Psychologists usually have a Doctorate in Psychology and have completed an internship under supervision.
• Counselors usually have a Master's degree in Counseling and have completed an internship under supervision.
• Clinical Social Workers typically have a Master's degree in Social Work and have completed a supervised internship.
• Other types of licensed professionals include Marriage and Family Counselors and Chemical Dependency Counselors.

What Theoretical Orientation Do You Want Your Therapist To Have?

Many differences between therapists show up in the area of theoretical orientation, which describes their basic philosophy and beliefs about what causes mental health distress and how they work with clients. See below for definitions of theories and techniques used in therapy. Many therapists work with clients in a variety of ways and ascribe to more than one theoretical perspective.

What Are Some Questions You May Want To Ask?

It is important to get as much information about a therapist as possible before entering into a therapeutic relationship with him or her. Remember, you will be sharing very personal information with your therapist so it will need to be an individual you have confidence in and can connect with. It's OK to interview a therapist, either in a phone conversation or in a first session, so that you can obtain the necessary information to make a well-informed decision. Here are examples of some of the types of questions you may want to ask:

• What are your credentials and training?
• What are your areas of expertise and specialization?
• What specific training do you have in your areas of specialization?
• Are you on the provider list for my insurance plan?
• What is your standard fee? How long are sessions? Do you have a sliding fee scale? Are fees different for individual, couples, or group therapy?
• How many clients have you worked with that have had similar issues to ;mine? How did you work with them and how did it help?
• Are you in good standing with your licensing board? Has anyone ever made a complaint against you? If so, how was it resolved?
• Do you receive your own supervision, consultation, or therapy from a professional?
• Where did you go to graduate school and where did you do your internship?
• How long have you been in private practice?
• What are your beliefs about how therapy should work? What do you do during sessions and what do you expect from a client during and between sessions?
• How can I contact you in an emergency?

How Will I Know If This Person Is The Right Therapist For Me?

After getting all the information and talking with several professionals, you will need to make a decision. At this point the best advice is to trust your gut feelings. It is important that you work with a therapist who is qualified to help you in your particular area of need and that it be an individual with whom you feel safe, can talk easily, and a person you feel you can learn to trust.

How Do I Start the Process Of Finding A Therapist?

As you may have already noticed, there are hundreds of therapists advertising their services in the Yellow Pages, newspapers, etc. Calling each one and getting detailed information can be a very long process. Referrals from friends are not always helpful because a particular therapist and style of therapy may appeal to some and not to others plus people are sometimes hesitant to "share" their therapist. Many insurance providers only give out three names and some people choose not to use their insurance because of concerns about confidentiality.

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It is for these reasons that the Find-A-Therapist Referral Network came to exist. Individuals can perform a detailed search for therapists in their area based on criteria such as specialization, fee, insurance, location, and more. This is a FREE service to Internet users.

The Find-A-Therapist Referral Network is affordable to therapists and is unlike many other referral services which are expensive to join and only allow a few or a certain population of therapists to be on their referral list. Most of the above information about individual therapists in private practice is available through the Find-A-Therapist Referral Network. We encourage you to verify all information with the therapist and ask them any additional questions that you may have.

  The Find-A-Therapist Locator Network only lists information that has been provided to us by each individual therapist. We do not guarantee that the information is correct nor do we accept liability for any statements or actions of therapist who are members of the Find-A-Therapist Referral Network, Inc.