How to Find a Therapist

Once you've searched the directories, received your recommendations, thumbed through the Yellow Pages and come up with a list of viable therapist's names, you can begin making phone inquiries. A mini phone interview can be essential to finding a therapist who will meet your needs. Most therapists should be happy to talk to you briefly on the phone. If they are not courteous or can make no time for you, you probably do not want them as your therapist anyway. However, therapists are also busy people. Be prepared with your questions beforehand. Below is a list of good introductory questions for your therapist:

• Is the therapist taking on new patients? If so, when would be their first opening?
• Does the therapist accept your insurance?
• What sort of therapy does this therapist practice or specialize in (i.e. marriage counseling, interpersonal therapy, brief therapy)?
• How much does the therapist charge? And how long do the sessions run?
• Ask if you would be billed for your sessions or expected to pay up front per session?
• Has the therapist ever treated anyone with issues and concerns similar to yours?
• Is the therapist licensed? What credentials do they hold?

Once you've talked to the therapist, do not feel pressured to set up an immediate appointment. Express your appreciation for the therapist's time, and say that you will call again if you wish to set up an appointment. Give yourself time to think about how the therapist dealt with you on the phone. Listen to your instincts. This initial call can be a good indicator of the therapist's personality. If you do not like the therapist's manner on the phone, simply cross their name of your list and proceed to call the next one. Do this until you find someone who fulfills all of your requirements, whether they include accepting your insurance, or billing your sessions or having a friendly and open manner.

Then, schedule your first appointment.

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