How to Find a Therapist
Finding a therapist can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Especially when you’re already not feeling your best. It took me YEARS to finally commit to trying therapy, and once I did, it changed my life. That might sound dramatic, but it literally saved me from myself. It helped me rediscover who I am and find an inner peace I was desperately searching for. So for anyone who is unsure about starting therapy, JUST TRY IT, what’s the worst that can happen? Seriously, answer that…
So now that you’re all excited about finding the right therapist, I guess I should give you what you came here for… HOW TO DO THE DAMN THING.
Psychology Today
My absolute favorite place to start when looking for a therapist is Psychology Today (for my international friends be sure to switch the location at the top right side to reflect your country). Not only can you search for therapists in your area, but you can also look for psychiatrists (they prescribe medication), treatment centers and support groups!
Once you type in your location (either zip code or city) a list of mental health professionals will pop up, along with this list on the top. This is where you can start getting specific in order to find the “perfect fit” for you.
Therapy Tribe
Therapy Tribe is the same concept as Psychology Today but offers a more specific collection of problems to address. However, their directory is limited to the locations they represent, so be sure to check your location is on their radar before searching for a therapist.
They also have a wide variety of free educational resources, exploring various types of therapy, therapy topics and they even have a FREE Wellness Community and support groups!
Research sliding scale therapists
The term “sliding scale” is just a way of determining how you pay for your selected therapy options. Affordable sliding-scale therapy is not a "sale" or a "discount" that can change over time. The amount you pay for affordable sliding-scale therapy is calculated by your income. The less income you bring in each month, the less you pay for your therapy sessions.
Whether you pay the full cost of your sessions or a reduced fee, the providers at your selected therapy center give you the same standard of high-quality care as clients who pay full price to attend the selected therapy center for counseling services. If you don't qualify for the low fees you would prefer to pay, there are other mental health resources, such as community mental health clinics and online therapy.
Pro Tip: Google sliding scale therapy near you and see what comes up. You may have to make some phone calls and emails, but getting care you can afford is SO worth it!
Online Therapy
Lucky for us, there are SO many ways to access mental health care. Long gone are the days where therapy is only conducted face to face. As we all experienced in 2020, many infrastructures shifted online, including therapy. Online communities such as BetterHelp, Ginger and Talkspace have created new ways to get on-demand care, each offering their own unique care from the comfort of your own safe space.
Now before I wrap this up, I want to stress the importance of finding the RIGHT therapist for you. Not every therapist you meet is going to be a good fit, and oftentimes the first few you try out aren’t going to be “the one”. Finding a therapist is a little like dating, you need to shop around, feel out the vibe and find someone you feel comfortable around and can trust. Once you find the right therapist for you, you’ll know, and that is when the magic begins!
Like I said before, this can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but you are not alone and I am just a little message away if you need any support or encouragement!
Hope this helps! Good luck! :)