How to Find the Right Therapist

Finding a therapist can feel like a daunting task. There’s a lot of options to choose from, and you might not know where to begin. Whenever I am seeking therapy for myself or a friend, I start with Psychology Today. This site allows you to filter by your area, therapist gender, insurance, etc. Start by putting some initial parameters on your search and explore the list of therapists available. Think about what gender you might prefer, if you prefer a certain age range, or certain office location.

You want to find someone who is a good fit for you, so it’s okay to shop around a little. See if a potential therapist offers a free short consultation and schedule some with two or three therapists. During your consultation, ask practical questions about their availability and cost for sessions. Ask them for more information on their specialties or certifications, and share a little about what’s brought you to seek therapy. Be specific and direct when asking if they have experience in the issue you’re seeking to work on. If you’re queer-identified, ask if they have experience working with the queer community. You can even ask them for their view on therapy and what therapy will be like if you decide to work with them.

Getting quality care that’s the right fit for you is the end goal, so take your time with this process.

Be well.