Choosing a therapist can often be quite a daunting task. There are so many different therapists and types of therapists available, which can make it all the more overwhelming. However, you probably already have an idea of what you want your therapist to be like. Or, you may just feel that you know you need to work with a female, a male, a Non-Binary, or a Trans therapist.
One of the absolute best and easiest ways to find a therapist is by using a therapist directory. The most commonly used by therapists is psychologytoday.com. There are quite a few other online directory’s to help you find a therapist, including: good therapy.org, therapytribe.com, and openpath.com. Openoath.com is specifically for low fee clients. Each therapist listed on any of the sites will have a full page all about them. The profile pages often include their theoretical orientation and modalities used in therapy. You can easily filter by Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Race/Ethnicity, etc.You can also do a Google search for a therapist.
Additionally, many therapists list their practice and website on Google. Often therapists have a set fee for all of their clients. However, many offer a sliding scale based on income. Most therapist’s offer a free 15 minute phone consultation. This is a chance to get to know the therapist a bit more, and to ask any questions that you might have.
Another way to go about looking for a therapist is if you have insurance, you can always call the number on the back of your card or go to the insurance company’s website. Your insurance company will give you a list of therapists in your zip code. You can also ask your insurance company to send you only male therapists, LGBTQ+ therapists and so forth. Another option to find a therapist is to ask for a referral. Either from a former therapist or your PCP. If you are currently seeing a Psychiatrist for medication management, they can provide referrals as well.
Another important piece of information to have, is that you may be looking for a therapist who doesn’t accept insurance. These therapist often work in a Private Pay Practice. In this case, you should always check with your insurance company to see if they cover Out Of Network or (OON) benefits. Licensed therapists who do not take insurance can provide you with a billing statement (known as a Super-bill) that you can submit to your insurance company, that will provide you with reimbursement for OON expenses based on your insurance coverage. Please check with your insurance if you have OON benefits, and if you first must meet a deductible, and what the cost of that