How to Choose a Therapist

It is funny because not until I got into the career of becoming a therapist did I actually understand how to properly choose a therapist. I had seen different therapists on my own before but still didn’t really understand the process. There are definitely a few things you should know before you go on the search so you do not end up wasting your time and you can find the right fit.

• Insurance, Private Pay, Super bill, and Sliding Scale

  • If you have insurance you can always look at the providers listed on your insurance website. You can use specific criteria to find one that specializes in the area that you are needing support in.

  • For private pay, that is cash pay for a session with a therapist without using insurance. People normally do that when they want more confidentiality from their insurance provider and you do not need a specific diagnosis so you would not be coded with a mental health coding with your insurance provider.

  • A super bill is used for an out-of-network therapist where they send in an itemized bill to your insurance company after the fact and hope for reimbursement. You use this when you really click with a therapist who doesn't accept your insurance, but you still want to use insurance to pay.

  • Sliding scale is used when you can’t afford a therapist, whether with insurance or without. Normally, if a therapist accepts sliding scale pay, they look at your total income and from there will give you a less amount that you will pay per session.

• Finding the right therapist

  You need to be picky when choosing a therapist. Choosing a therapist is like choosing a teacher. You did not like all your teachers growing up but there were a few that really had an impact on you. It is the same with therapy. Too often, I will hear of someone going to a therapist and not liking it but mainly because they didn’t clique with the therapist as a person so they say therapy doesn't work.

  Some things to decide yourself before you start your search are the following:

  • Male versus female

  • Virtual versus in person

  • Does their age matter to you?

  • Does ethnicity matter to you?

  • Do you need someone who is bilingual?

  • Do you want someone whose expertise is in your area of difficulty?

  • Does therapeutic style matter and if so, which one do you prefer?

  • Once you have had your consolation call, do you feel like you hit it off?

    Choosing the right therapist doesn’t have to be hard, but you do need to take the time to search properly just as you would any doctor. Many offer free consultation calls so once you have decided the things mentioned above, find a therapist within your parameters and make a consolation call. Once you do speak with them, see what you think. If it isn’t a good fit, continue the search. If you feel after a visit or two, it isn’t a good fit, again, continue the search. Do not give up! Therapy can change your life for the better!