More and more individuals and families are seeking counseling services today for a variety of reasons. On the positive side, the stigma of mental health services is shifting a bit since it is becoming more typical that children, adolescents, and adults are seeking therapy. However, since there is such a high demand for therapeutic services, the cost for counseling has not only skyrocketed, but it is challenging just finding a therapist that is accepting new clients. Not to mention, for people who are new to the process of finding a therapist, it can be extremely overwhelming finding the right person/fit.
If you are new to the process
If this is your first time seeking help from a therapist for you and/or your family, you may not be sure where to start. If you are concerned about finances, it may make sense to reach out to your insurance company for a list of local providers who are in your insurance network. Unfortunately, many therapists do not accept insurance since it can cause a good amount of extra work and headaches for therapists. Making cold calls from a list of local in network providers may save you some money but it may not be your best option to find a therapist who is a good fit for you and your family since you are going on chance as opposed to recommendations or preference/specialties.
Another option you can take is to browse through local provider directories. Psychology Today is a popular and common one. If you go online to this website, you can browse through local providers. You are able to view pictures of therapists, descriptions of their services, what insurances they accept, and more. Be prepared that many therapists that you call either will be full or will not be able to get you in for an appointment for several weeks.
It may also be helpful to look for recommendations. You may have friends or other family members who are currently in therapy or have been in the past. Do not be afraid to talk to people in order to find a recommendation of a therapist. Talk to your doctor, reach out to friend groups, or even consider browsing social media on local community pages. People use this common approach when they are looking for recommendations for plumbers, electricians, and tutors. Looking for a highly recommended therapist is no different.
Finding the right therapist for you
Therapists have various specialties depending on their education and experience. Some therapists are comfortable working with young children through methods such as play or art therapy while others have more experience working with adolescents and adults. Some use psychodynamic philosophies while others use CBT or DBT methods. Regardless of the approach, it is not only important to find a therapist that uses theories that you are looking for, but it is also helpful to find a therapist you can connect with and feel comfortable talking to. If you do not feel connected to your therapist, the amount of content knowledge they have is irrelevant. It may take two or three therapists before you find one that works well with you. Do not be afraid to look elsewhere if you are not making progress with your treatment goals. However, I would suggest attending a few sessions with the same therapist before making the decision to try someone else.
Our Approach
At Main Street Counseling, we understand that it can be very difficult to find the right therapist for you. This is why we started a group counseling practice consisting of several licensed clinicians (Licensed Associate Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, & Licensed Clinical Alcohol & Drug Counselors). Our practice consists of part-time and full time therapists with manageable caseloads. As a result, they are able to provide more individualized attention and treatment to their clients. The process of finding the right fit for you is streamlined. All you need to do is complete our online form, explain a little bit about you and the services you are looking for, and we will connect you with a therapist that will best serve your needs. We are currently in network with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna and accept out of network benefits as well. Our prices are very competitive compared to what other local therapists charge since we aim to make services more affordable for individuals and families. Since our staff is growing, we are able to keep up with the needs of local communities. This means that the wait time to see a therapist is short. If you would like to learn more about us, please do not hesitate to reach out!
It makes sense to understand the sort of help we need when looking for a therapist. My aunt was recently diagnosed with cancer and the family has been having difficulties accepting it. I will recommend to them to look into therapist that specializes in these matters to help them come to terms with the situation.
As you mentioned, it is important to find a therapist who specializes in what you need. My sister is wanting her children to start therapy, as they have been through some trying times. I will have to share this article with her, and see if it helps give her direction.
My family and I are going through a rough patch and we are thinking of going for therapy. I like that this post advised us to seek a therapist whose methods are suitable with our family. I will keep this tip in mind when I source for therapists.