…according to actual therapists.
If you’re considering therapy, finding the right therapist can often be harder than it looks, especially amid a mental health crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy has issued a dire warning, saying the pandemic has worsened mental health among young people. “Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real, and they are widespread,” he said. “But most importantly, they are treatable, and often preventable.”
But this isn’t even a generational or American problem: Symptoms of anxiety and depression have doubled during the pandemic globally, according to Murthy’s 53-page report.
That’s why we put together some key ways to empower those looking for help, whether it’s for trauma, loss, or a relationship issue. To advise us, we turned to licensed clinical psychologists Marla Deibler, PsyD, ABPP., and Lisa Hayen, PsyD, so check out their advice on how to find not just a therapist — but the right therapist.
How to Find a Therapist Who’s Right for You
Do your research
A good place to start is by asking someone you trust, such as a family member or close friend who may know of a mental health professional. If that leads to a dead-end, then it’s time to try some reliable online databases. A number of mental health organizations maintain up-to-date, searchable databases of licensed therapists. The most widely used ones include the American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Dr. Deibler told us that she receives much of her referrals from the magazine, Psychology Today, which has a handy resource as well.
“People should be informed consumers,” Dr. Diebler tells us, “so it’s really important to do a little bit of research so that you’re going into these appointments — whether it’s an appointment with one person or if you’ve scheduled a couple — and see what you think of them and what their approach will be.”
Consider your options
An in-network provider will typically be the most affordable option for those with health insurance, but if you can’t find someone, check if your plan has out-of-network benefits to help broaden your choices. It might also be worth asking whether your employer offers certain benefits, like a flexible spending or a health savings account, which allow you to use pretax money for certain medical expenses.
For those who are unemployed and don’t have insurance, search for providers who offer low- or no-cost options. In this case, online therapy services may be worth exploring since they may reduce out-of-pocket costs, and can help you find more options than what your local area might offer.
“If you live in a rural area or in a state where you feel like there aren’t a lot of mental health resources, you might actually have much more access than you think,” Dr. Hayden says.
Check credentials
While both our experts agree that online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Sondermind are helpful, they believe that these support networks don’t typically offer the highest qualified practitioners. Dr. Diebler explains that most of the practitioners on these websites are professional counselors, meaning that they don’t have the same training as a psychologist or a psychiatrist.
There are different qualifications in the mental health field, so it’s helpful to know how all these types of practitioners differ, to figure out exactly who would be ideal for you.
How do you know which level of care you need? While clinical social workers or counselors can be tremendously helpful when it comes to working through family and relationship issues, both experts agree that a higher level of care is needed for those noticing a clinical disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. In other words, if your mental health is impacting your day-to-day functioning, look beyond online therapy platforms. Dr. Hayden acknowledges, though, that this breakdown in functioning isn’t always easy to detect, even with yourself.
“A lot of people don’t know they have depression,” Dr. Hayden tells us. “They know they feel bad, but people don’t generally call and say, ‘I’ve got depression.’ It can be difficult to diagnose.”
Treat the initial stages like a job interview
If you found a therapist in your insurance network who seems to check all of your boxes, schedule an appointment and have an initial consultation. In that session, Dr. Diebler says you should expect to set some goals and hear the treatment plan.
“When looking for a therapist, you want to keep in mind whether or not you feel comfortable with that person and whether you think you can work with them,” she says. “It should be a collaborative relationship.”
By the third session, Dr. Hayden says you should be able to gauge whether the therapist is the right fit for you. And if they’re not, don’t be afraid to look somewhere else. “I have a hard time breaking up with my hairdressers, so I understand how hard that can be for people,” she tells us.
Give it time and be patient
In case you hadn’t heard, we’re in the middle of a very stressful and unprecedented pandemic, so it can be tough to find the right therapist, or even any therapist at all. Dr. Hayden says she’s completely booked until the new year — but she’s not alone in seeing this dramatic rise in demand. According to an American Psychological Association poll of nearly 1,800 psychologists, nearly 30 percent said they were seeing more patients overall.
But Dr. Hayden is hopeful that, with the expansion of telehealth, she and her fellow pros will be able to continue to meet the ever-increasing need. “We have seen a tremendous increase in people seeking services,” she says, “and we have to continue to be creative to meet that need.”
The information provided on this site isn’t intended as medical advice, and shouldn’t replace professional medical treatment. Consult your doctor with any serious health concerns.
