5 Tips for Finding the Right Therapist For You
When you know you need counseling, it can be tough to figure out where to start. Here are 5 tips to find the right therapist for you.
The most important factor in your counseling will be the relationship between you and your therapist. If you feel understood and safe with a counselor, your therapy will likely be much more effective than if you feel uncomfortable. Here are some ways to know that you are hiring the right counselor for you.
Narrow down what you would like counseling for, and search for that topic.
If you are starting on a website like Google, Psychology Today, Good Therapy, or Therapy Den, searching for “therapist near me” might give you an overwhelming number of results. Try narrowing down your search for one or a two problems you want to address first. (Example: “trauma therapist” or “addiction counseling”). Psychology Today lets you search your zip code and key concerns. This helps narrow down your choices to counselors that are trained in your specific concern. When you read bios, look for specific language around your situation. Chances are that a therapist who includes that language is passionate about serving people just like you!
Ask people you trust for therapist recommendations.
If you know someone who has been through a similar concern, ask them for recommendations. You might find lots of support options through other people, from therapists to support groups to mentors. Ask your friend how they feel when they go to counseling, and pay attention to their response. Counselors sometimes “mesh” well with similar personalities, so if your friend recommends a counselor, they might work well with you too. You might also start hearing about specific counseling techniques that were helpful for others, such as EMDR. Pay attention to the people who are where you would like to be someday, and ask them how they got there.
Start with 3 counselors. Go through their bios and websites and see if one really resonates with you.
When you start searching, it is easy to overload yourself with choices. Start with 3 counselors and read more about them. Notice how you feel when you read their bio and website. Do you feel safe? Understood? Do they write in a way that shows their work will be about you? Do you notice any red flags that already make you feel uncomfortable? If you feel connected through a counselor’s bio, the next step is to reach out.
Ask for a consultation.
Many counselors offer a phone consultation before asking for a commitment to a session. This can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on the counselor. The purpose of this call is to spend a moment getting to know the basics of your concern and give you a chance to “feel out” your interaction. Take this time to notice how the counselor attunes themselves to you. Do they seem empathic to your concern? How do you feel in response to the sound of their voice? Do they show you they understand what you are saying? Does anything about the interaction make you feel uncomfortable, or as though they are not paying attention to you? If you feel that you and the counselor connected well during the consultation, you can move forward into scheduling an initial session.
Ask for referrals from other therapists.
With how high the need for mental health care is right now, you might find some of the therapists you reach out to are not able to accept new clients. However, counselors often network with other therapists to make sure our clients get the care they need when we cannot provide it. If you really connect with some key parts of a therapist’s bio but they are full, ask for referrals. Be sure to mention the parts of their bio or website that stuck out to you so they can recommend someone with similar characteristics or specialties. This can also point you to some great therapists who might not be great at writing website copy.
If you are searching for a therapist in the Loveland, Fort Collins, or Windsor, CO area, I would love to connect with you! You can start by going to this link to schedule a phone consultation with me.