When you are ready to begin counseling, you’ll want to start as soon as possible. However, the process of finding the right therapist can feel  daunting. Where do you begin? There are so many factors to consider. If you approach this choice systematically, you can make an informed decision. This can lead to you getting scheduled with a great-fit therapist sooner!

To begin with, you will want to narrow your search down by cost, accessibility, approach, and comfort level. Then you can  schedule an initial session to further assess for fit. Your search will begin either with your insurance provider, or with a web-based therapist directory like Psychology Today’s “Find a Therapist” function. Read on for more guidance.

Using an Online Therapist Directory

A good starting point in your search for a therapist is an online directory tool such as Psychology Today’s “Find a Therapist” function. These directories allow you to set filters and limits in your search.  In addition, they allow you to look up a provider by name and get more information.

Generally you will start by inputting city or zip code.  You may be able to filter based on provider gender, issues they work with, cost of sessions, therapeutic interventions and more.

To start your search, read each section below and make your selections based on what pertains to you.

What Might Cost of Therapy Entail

Insurance for Seniors

If you have insurance that covers outpatient mental health, your first step will be to inquire with your insurance provider. Phone customer service and ask them to verify your benefits, including number of sessions covered and your co-pay. Request a list of approved providers.  It is possible they may direct you to a website listing.  Or they may offer to email you a list.

Once you have a list of providers covered under your plan, you can use an online directory tool to search each provider and read their profile. If you find the offering scant, or if you are unable to find a covered provider who meets your needs, ask your insurance company if they provide reimbursement for your sessions with providers who are not in-network.

This may allow a broader search, and while you will pay out of pocket at first, your insurance may reimburse you for part of your session fee.

HSA – Using an Health Savings Account

People with a Health Savings Account can generally use it for co-pays or session fees for outpatient therapy with a qualifying diagnosis. If your HSA account provides a debit-type card, your new therapist can process that just like a credit card.

However, if you do not have a card, you may need to pay for sessions up front, and then submit a Superbill (an invoice your therapist can provide) to your HSA administrator for reimbursement.

Private Pay

Paying out of pocket for therapy services can be prohibitive for many people, but it is increasingly common to find providers who do not accept your insurance or any insurance at all. With long provider waitlists and concerns over insurance limitations, even insured individuals are choosing to pay privately for therapy services.

The rate for therapy sessions varies greatly depending on provider’s credentials and geographic location. Some providers offer a sliding scale or reduced rates, and so it is sometimes worth reaching out to a prospective counselor to inquire about fees, even when fees are listed on their profile. When you begin your search, you can filter by cost based on your budget.

Accessibility: What Type of Therapy Is a Fit for You

Teletherapy

In the age of teletherapy, access to excellent therapy has improved. Clients can do a virtual session on their lunch break or see a counselor who lives hours away from them. Teletherapy removes the need for transportation and commute time, and technology can provide easier access to those with disabilities or limited mobility.

Providers must still be licensed in whichever state the client is in while receiving services. If you are in Pennsylvania and find a good fit counselor in New Jersey, that counselor can only provide services to you if they have teletherapy privileges in Pennsylvania or if you are in the state of New Jersey at the time of your teletherapy appointment.

So, while geographic restrictions are far fewer with teletherapy, it is a good idea to start searching in the state where you will obtain services so that you can ensure your provider is able to render them.

Office-Based Therapy

Many clients prefer office-based sessions. They may feel more comfortable meeting face-to-face with their therapist, they may need to be in a distraction-free environment and unable to do so at home, or they may just appreciate the change of scenery an office visit provides. If you would prefer office visits, be sure to limit your search to geographic regions accessible to you. Consider also any mobility issues or transportation access.

You may find information on directions, parking, staircases and more on the provider’s website, but you may want to ask these specific questions when you send an initial inquiry message to a prospective provider.

Schedule Availability

Schedule availability is important to clarify from the start. Sometimes a provider’s profile does make availability clear. If not, this is especially important if you need weekend or evening availability or have specific scheduling restrictions.

Therapy Goals or Special Issues

Who you select as your therapist will depend largely on your purpose in seeking therapy. Clarify that for yourself. Do you just want someone to talk to and help process interpersonal issues? Are you concerned about a resurgence of eating disorder symptoms? Do you have a hard time managing stress? Are you wanting to explore childhood trauma and the impact it has on your relationships with others?

While therapists are Master’s level clinicians, no therapist is qualified to help clients with every circumstance or need. Look at profiles to see specialty areas (i.e., grief and loss, substance use, men’s issues) and to see certifications or qualifications (i.e., trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or EMDR or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).

Certifications and endless acronyms can be confusing, so be prepared to tell a prospective counselor your primary issues and any goals for therapy so you can ensure they can help you with your needs.

Connecting with a Therapist

Initial Inquiry Message

If you have found the profile of an accessible and affordable therapist who seems like they could help you, you can usually send them an initial inquiry message via their directory profile or on their website or email. I recommend people take this step before scheduling a consultation call. This helps get potential impediments out of the way and save time.

Your initial inquiry message should include a brief summary of the reason you are reaching out. Also you’ll share information about your insurance coverage or budget, preferences for teletherapy or office visits, and your schedule availability. If the provider responds that they can meet those criteria, move on to schedule a consultation call. If not, select another candidate you are considering and send them a message inquiring about the same criteria.

Consultation Call

Most providers will offer a free brief consultation call. During this call, you can share your reasons for reaching out, ask questions about their approach or share any concerns you may have. These calls are typically 15 minutes or less. But they can allow you to get a feel for the tone and style of the therapist. This will help you decide whether you would like to schedule a session with them.

If you have come this far and feel good about the brief chat, you’ll schedule your first session.  It is likely you’ll receive intake paperwork to complete.

During the consultation call and your first few sessions, some degree of discomfort is common. This is a new person. And it is a new process. It can take 2 or more sessions to feel confident about your selected therapist.

While there are no universal signs of a good or poor fit with a therapist, as personalities and treatment goals vary so widely, generally you want to feel safe, heard and respected with this individual. You may also expect to feel at times challenged or emotional.  And provided this occurs within the context of a safe and respectful session, that is part of effective therapy.

Ongoing Assessment of Therapist

Because so much of the work of therapy can take time to integrate into your life, it can take several sessions — weeks or months — before you note any significant improvement. Generally, it helps to look back after the first few sessions and then again every 2-3 months.  You’ll be able to consider whether you are learning about yourself, making behavioral changes, getting the coping skills you desired, or generally meeting the goals you had in mind. If not, discuss with your therapist to adjust your treatment plan and interventions.

Our needs change over time, and sometimes the work we are doing with a given therapist is no longer working for us. Perhaps when you started therapy, you really needed to vent and be heard. In that case, your warm and compassionate therapist provided a safe place for that for many months.

Then, for example, you may be noticing interpersonal skills that need work, and your present therapist is not providing direct skills or applicable tools you need to advance that goal. It is important to bring this up with your therapist. See what adjustments can be made to your treatment. If you discuss these changing needs with your therapist and still don’t feel like you are getting what you need, it may be time to move on to a therapist with an approach better suited to your new goals.

Whatever your reasons for seeking therapy, remember that the most important factors in selecting a therapist can’t be found in a directory. You should feel safe, heard, and respected. Only then can the therapeutic work begin.

If you are a Friends Life Care member and are considering finding a therapist, you can reach out to your care coordinator to help.

 

 

Written by: Angela Dora Dobrzynski, LPC

Angela Dora Dobrzynski, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist. She has a private practice in Downingtown, PA where she specializes in grief and non-death losses, as well as significant life transitions. She is the author of Unmoored, a book that can  help you ride the waves of grief and take those first tentative steps ashore.

Her approach draws from stress and health psychology, holistic health coaching, solutions-focused treatment, strengths-based philosophy, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Rosemont College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stockton University. Visit her website at www.angeladora.org.

 

 

Friends Life Care appreciates this post about mental health and finding a therapist, written for the eMeetinghouse blog. Friends Life Care is a mission-driven nonprofit. It has been helping older adults to thrive at home as they age. Connect with us if you have questions for one of Friends Life Care’s Plan Counselors on joining.  Or, if you are a member, for your Wellness or Care Coordinator. We’d love to hear your comments.