How to Find a Therapist that is a Good Fit
You’ve decided to begin your therapeutic journey - Now what?
You may be asking yourself, “Where do I find a therapist I connect with? How do I know what kind of therapy is for me? And now there’s the additional factor to consider if I prefer virtual therapy or in-person? It feels like there are endless things to decide and I don’t know where to begin.”
Finding a therapist can sometimes feel like a daunting task. And if this internal monologue above feels familiar to you, hopefully this blog will help you through this process of finding a therapist.
Get Specific
In a weird way it can feel like there are too many options. You’ve googled “therapy near me” and countless results appeared and now you don’t know where to begin or how to sift through your many options. Instead of this more generalized search, consider getting much more specific. There are so many reasons people begin going to therapy, so narrow down your reason as best you can and use that in your search. Instead google “therapy near me OCD” or “therapy near me grief”. Another way to filter this way is through Psychology Today. Here you can filter your search by the “issue” you are coming in for. You can also use Psychology Today to filter through many other things like insurance, gender or other identities if that is meaningful for you and your experience. So now, you’ve narrowed down your pool of options to those who specialize in what you are dealing with.
Shop Around
Most therapists offer free 15 minute phone consultations to figure out if the two of you would be a good fit. One of the best things you can do is take advantage of this offering and test the waters with a few different therapists. The therapists know that this is in your best interest and should be encouraging of this, so don’t feel wary of “wasting their time” with a phone call. The phone calls give you a chance to assess if you feel comfortable with them and it also gives them a chance to see if they would be the best fit for you. Maybe they specialize in anxiety but you need someone who is more specialized in depression. The two of you will come to this conclusion over the phone call and the therapist may be able to guide you to a therapist that better fits your needs.
Don’t Hold Back on Asking Questions
That phone consultation is a great opportunity to ask questions. Here are a few example of things you may want to know and ask about:
What is your approach to therapy?
Do you have any openings that are compatible with my schedule?
What type of populations/ clients do you generally work with?
What do sessions with you look like?
Is the Chemistry Right?
What may be a good fit for some, may not be for others. Just like any kind of relationship, there needs to be chemistry. Not every therapist is going to be everyone's cup of tea. Some people prefer a therapist who is very relational in nature, others prefer a therapist who discloses very little about themselves. Neither is better than the other, they are just different and you get to feel out which is more comfortable and productive for you personally. Try to ask yourself, “do I feel comfortable speaking to this person?” “Do I feel safe and no judgment speaking with this person?”. Questions like these will help you check in with yourself while you shop around to asses if the “chemistry” is right.
If you are someone looking to start (or continue) your therapeutic journey, reach out through our website for a free 15 minute consultation with any of the psychotherapists at Be You Psychotherapy.
