If you type the words “therapist near me” into Google, you’ll get hundreds if not thousands of Google search results. But how do you go about finding the right counselor for you?
Sifting through hundreds of options can be overwhelming – and discouraging. We have some tips to help you narrow the field and find a therapist that meets your needs.
Oftentimes the hardest part of getting help is taking that first step. We applaud you for having the courage to seek help.
Why A Good Fit Matters
Just as all people are unique, all therapists have a unique personality and approach. Therapy is a highly personal and collaborative experience which is why finding the right counselor for you is important. In fact, many studies have shown that how well you get along with your therapist can determine how helpful you find therapy.
You’ll find that you “click” with some therapists more than others. Since therapy relies on being open and forthcoming with your therapist, it’s important to look for a therapist who you like, can trust, and feel comfortable with.
Considerations to Keep in Mind
Even though fit is one of the most important factors when it comes to therapy, many people have additional needs, such as cost or experience dealing with a specific issue. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you conduct your search:
- Training & Expertise – Chances are, you are looking for a mental health provider with experience treating the specific issue or issues you are needing support in. Some questions you may want to ask a potential provider include whether they have:
- Experience with a particular age group
- Training for a particular issue such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD
- Ability to test, diagnose or medicate if you are seeking these goals
- Cost – Cost can act as a barrier for people to seek the help they need. Before you start your search, you may want to:
- Think about your budget and have an idea of how much you’d like to invest in therapy
- Check your insurance benefits to understand how your insurance company reimburses for in-network versus out-of-network providers
- Location & Availability – A therapist’s location and availability can influence your decision to start or continue therapy. It is important to consider how far you’d be willing to travel and what times work with your schedule. If you have a busy schedule, you may want to explore remote therapy options.
- Preference – Lastly, when conducting your search, you will want to take into consideration your personal preferences, if you have any. Some people feel more comfortable opening up to someone who shares a similar background, for example. Other personal preferences include:
- Gender – Do you feel more comfortable speaking to a male or female provider?
- Age – Do you want a provider who is similar in age to you or older/younger?
- Religion – Do you want a provider who shares a similar faith?
- Race/Cultural Background – Do you want a provider who looks like you and can relate to the struggles related to your race and/or cultural background?
Where to Look for a Therapist
Searching for a therapist that meets your criteria can help you narrow your pool of providers and make your search less overwhelming. If you don’t know where to start your search, here are some places for finding the right counselor for you.
- Referrals – Asking trusted friends or family members for referrals is a great place to start. Even if your friend or family members’ therapists are not taking on new clients, they may be able to refer you to a provider who they know can help you.
- Insurance – You may want to stick to an in-network provider in order to keep your costs low. If that’s the case, you may want to search through your insurance provider’s directory.
- Online directory – If you don’t want to reach out to your network, that’s okay too. You can always search online directories like PsychToday, which lists out counselors in your area. You can filter your search by issue, gender, age, price, and type of therapy. The more specific you can get, the better since online directories can present an overwhelming number of choices.
Once you’ve found a few therapists you’re interested in learning more about, you can see if they offer a complimentary consultation. These are usually done over the phone and last between 15-20 minutes.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
This is your opportunity to get a feel for your therapist’s approach and personality. Feel free to come prepared with questions such as:
- How long have you been working in this field?
- What is your specialty?
- Do you have experience working with people suffering from depression, ADHD, PTSD, emotional neglect, etc?
- What treatments do you offer and how does it work?
- What is your fee?
How to Know if Your Therapist is a Good Fit
There is no universal rule to help you determine whether a therapist is a good fit for you. It ultimately comes down to your feelings. If we could give you one piece of advice, it would be to go with your gut.
If you feel…
- Supported by your therapist
- Like you can be your authentic self
- Listened to by your therapist
- Safe and comfortable in their presence
- More hopeful when you leave therapy versus when you came
These are all good signs that you’ve found a therapist who is a good fit and can help you meet your goals.
On the flip side, if your therapist makes you feel judged, shamed, or uncomfortable, that’s a sign you may need to move on. Another sign of a poor fit is if your therapist’s approach is either too pushy or too passive. Everyone responds differently to different approaches. Some people prefer to receive advice while others want emotional support. Ask yourself if you’re getting what you need out of your sessions.
What to Expect in Your First Session
First meetings are a time for you and your therapist to get acquainted with each other. You will spend this time discussing your background and goals in therapy. You may also discuss your therapist’s policies and costs, and fill out any necessary paperwork.
During the first few sessions, you and your counselor will work on defining your goals and the plan to get there. This is called the treatment plan. The treatment plan will be a rough outline of what to expect with your counseling experience and will be revisited throughout the process at various times.
What If My Therapist Isn’t a Good Fit
Choosing a therapist that fits usually takes more than one session. We recommend sticking with a therapist for at least 3 sessions before evaluating whether to stick with them or continue your search.
In any case, if you feel as though you are not clicking with your therapist, that’s okay. Finding the right counselor for you can take a couple of tries. Remember that you aren’t looking for perfection, but for someone who you feel safe and comfortable with and who you believe can help you reach your goals.
Even though it may be an uncomfortable conversation, your therapist will understand if you need to move on to find a better fit. They may even be able to provide you with a referral to another provider.
We Are Here to Help
Finding the right counselor for you can be a daunting task. You don’t need to do it alone.
At Central Texas Child and Family Counseling, we take the guesswork out of finding a therapist. You call and we match you. It is as simple as that.
Our licensed and experienced counselors in the Georgetown and Liberty Hill area cannot wait to help you. Call us today to speak to our care coordinator, and we will match you with a therapist.
In your corner,
-Jenna
Jenna Fleming, LPC, NCC, is a Georgetown, TX therapist. She is also the owner at Georgetown and Liberty Hill Child & Family Counseling, where it is their mission to help people thrive through Christ-centered counseling.
