Not to appear self-serving, but.....
This is an interesting subject. I am going to try to address two elements of this process: finding a therapist and finding the right therapist. The right therapist for you may not be the right therapist for your best friend. I’m going to address finding a therapist first.
First I want to talk about the different types of therapists. People confuse the different options. I will start with my education level which is a masters of mental health counseling which is equivalent in many ways ( but not all ) to a masters in social work or a masters in marriage and family therapy (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT). We are trained to do individual, groups, couples and family therapy, testing and evaluation. Our license allows us to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. In Florida we are licensed by the Department of Children and Family under the same umbrella as doctors. Another type of therapist is a psychologist which operates at the PhD level. They are educated to do research, therapy and/or teach. And then there are psychiatrists who are medical doctors who have specialized in disorders of the brain. They are the prescribers of mental health medications. Many of them also provide therapy but primarily they provide medication management.
If you are interested in using your insurance, your insurance company may decide which type of therapist for you to see. But there are also times that you can request a certain type of therapist. If you are looking to use your insurance, the largest drawback is the therapist must give you a mental health diagnosis which goes into your insurance file. But using your insurance is the most economical usually. Call your insurance company for a list of providers in your area. If you prefer to not use your insurance, there are many sites on the internet which you can find a therapist. I list with PsychologyToday.com. It seems to have many therapists' profiles. When using it, you can modify your search by zipcode, gender, license preference, and many other options. You can also look by insurance they take. This is a great resource to pre-qualify someone.
Finding a therapist and finding the right therapist are two different subjects.
Now finding the right therapist is a little more difficult. Frequently clients find me by word of mouth, someone who has seen me recommends me to them. If this isn't an option for you or you're shy about this process then look on psychologytoday.com. Each therapist will list their specialities and types of therapy in which they have received training. Try them out for size. If you visit one and know you aren't going to feel comfortable with them then move on. But don't set your bar too high, I have had clients where it took 3-5 sessions before they were fully comfortable, especially if this is your first time using therapy. It may take you awhile to settle in. Don't give up. If you find a therapist and you don't feel uneasy the first time then go with it. Most therapists know how to put you at ease and help you feel comfortable. And know that by making the appointment and walking into their office you have started a beautiful process of change. Good for you!
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