Before reading further, have you read the first of this series: Getting Started with Therapy Part 1 ?
“Shopping” for a Mental Health Professional
Many refer to the process of finding a therapist that is a good fit as “shopping for a therapist”; I think this is a nice visual. It speaks to the idea that you may need to “look around” and “try a few” before finding “the right fit”.
Once you have an idea of your needs, what type of therapist you are looking for, how you may pay for services, and your method of contact, you can now start the shopping process.
It is recommended to start with a list of 3-5 therapists for you to contact. Sometimes, a therapist may not have availability, or their schedule may not align with yours.
The Profile
There are a few elements to a therapist’s profile (if using a directory; if you are on their website, then you may get even more useful information about them that will help you to decide):
Picture - Did their picture capture your interest? Do they appear to be someone that you could be comfortable discussing intimate topics with?
Description - Did their summary make you feel like you would like to work with them? Did it make you feel like they are capable of helping you in the ways that you need?
What they offer - Does their therapeutic approach, speciality, services offered, etc. match with what you have decided that you need?
You can view my profile here.
The Consultation
Therapists usually offer a consultation, whether that be in person (or virtually), or a phone call. You will need to ask whether or not the consultation will be free of charge to you. I highly recommend scheduling the consultation. Use it to get a sense of their personality, and to ask any questions that may not be clear on their profile or website.
Once you have gotten through the door, next is the trial and error.
From this point moving forward, it will be a matter of finding the fit. Do you like their personality? How do you feel while in their office (or on a video call with them)? Do you feel like they properly understand what you are experiencing, and what kind of help you are looking for? You may need to schedule a few sessions with one, or multiple, before you can get a good sense of which therapist is best for you.
I know that this part of the process sounds overwhelming, maybe even more so than the other sections of this guide! But, it is paramount to treatment success that you believe that your therapist is competent about your problem, compatible with you, and empathetic to you.
I also offer a free consultation. If you’re interested, you can fill out a Contact Submission Form here.
Questions to Ask During a Consultation:
What are your thoughts about the concerns I want to focus on in therapy?
Do you have experience working with someone like me (however you may be identifying)?
How might we work on my concerns if we start therapy together?
[Ask about anything you feel unsure or uncomfortable about here too! Especially if you’re skeptical about therapy itself!]
Things to Share During a Consultation:
-Experience with previous Mental Health Professionals (or that you’ve never worked with one before); whether or not they were positive experiences; what works and doesn’t work for you in therapy.
-If you’re currently working with another Mental Health or Medical Professional on the problem (e.g., psychiatrist, nutritionist, etc.)
-If you’re frequently and/or currently experiencing suicidal and/or homicidal ideation, and/or hallucinations (if you’re experiencing a crisis, you need to seek immediate medical attention from an emergency room, or by calling your local emergency hotline).
-If you’re struggling with substance abuse or other addictions.
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Take a deep breath! Hopefully, by now you are feeling much more prepared for getting started on your therapy journey!
Please make sure that you read Part III!