How to find the right therapist
As we head into fall, I can’t help but think about the needs we have to find someone new for us all to speak with.
Choosing the right therapist is important because it sets the tone for us on how we can investigate why we’re feeling and help us get to a deeper level.
Here is the simple guide that I think might be useful:
Look for a specific therapist through a directory such as, Psychology Today to help you search for a therapist. When you initially get to the website, you can search by city or by zip code.
I would recommend you use your zip code as it will locate someone closer to you.
Take a look initially at the list and see if someone based off their profile seems like a good fit.
If you need, add some filters such as: Insurance, Anxiety, ADHD, Male or Female, Age, Religion.
Using filters can really help you narrow down your search.
When you are looking at the specific profile, look at their licensure (LPC, LSW, AMFT, LCPC, LCSW, LMFT, LICSW, etc. Each licensure means a different type of training that the therapist has gone through but also if they hold provisional (initial) licensure or terminal (clinical) licensure.
Licensure Levels:
LSW, LPC, AFMT are all provisional licensure levels and need someone to supervise them towards their clinical hours. Provisional license therapists aren’t bad at what they do and you need to start somewhere. All therapists start at provisional levels and work their ways up. Provisional license therapists are all amazing at what they do and work really hard with their clients.
LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, LICSW are all terminal licensure or we all have our clinical licenses. What this means is we have completed the hour requirements needed for us to take a clinical test. As clinical therapists we no longer need to be supervised by a terminal licensed therapist and we are able to submit insurance on our own and provide care through our own businesses.
Initial Consultations, “Shopping Around,” or Free consultations
Let’s start with “shopping around.” What I mean by “shopping around” is when a client calls several therapists they like, schedule different sessions with many, and go in for all the sessions judging how they feel with each individual therapist. I will tell you that this is my own personal belief on the issue however when you “shop around” you are cheapening the work that we as therapists provide. Therapists work on a client by client basis. Therapists are only paid by clients or by insurance if a client is seen or cancels and we often have to pay ourselves out of what we earn after funding our businesses. When a client shops around it says that you aren’t serious about the process and are just looking for someone who isn’t going to challenge you.
Free consultations or 15 minute consultations are a way for a therapist to determine if you are a good fit for their practice. Unfortunately, I believe this is the same thing as clients “shopping around.” It gives therapists a chance to say no without really knowing who the client. How can we know who a client actually is in 15 minutes.
Attending the Session, Filling out paperwork, Providing insurance information
I would recommend when you find a profile of the therapist you seem to jive with online, schedule a session with them. They should provide you with paperwork and consents. They will also ask that you submit information for your insurance so they can provide an insurance verification. The insurance process can be difficult to understand at times and I’m not even sure as a therapist I always have a handle on it.
When I collect information, I have my clients fill out direct information about themselves, I ask about health conditions, previous mental health care and hospitalizations, goals you want to work on, why you are coming to therapy, and what has previously helped with other therapists. I have clients provide me with their insurance information including a photo of the front and back of your insurance card, your date of birth, and your address. This information is used when I put all the information in for my insurance biller to help with the verification. A verification is a process where the biller or the insurance verifies that you are a member and what your coverage actually is. I have seen coverage range from $175 to as low as $15 per session.
I hope that by providing this post, I am hoping that you are provided with the information you need to assist you in your search process for a therapist.