So you’re finally ready to try therapy - congratulations! Therapy is one of the top ways you can invest in yourself and commit to growth and change in your life. But how do you go about actually finding a therapist? If you type in “therapists near me” into Google, you will get an overwhelming number of results that may end with you snapping your laptop shut. 

Here are some tips and considerations to help you find a therapist who fits your needs and is best positioned to help you. 

1. Know What You Want to Work On

What’s bringing you to therapy? It’s likely one of the first things a prospective therapist will ask you. The more you can articulate your needs, the more likely you can find someone who specializes in that area. That being said, it’s also okay to not know for sure but try to have a general idea of your mental health goals. Most therapists will be well-equipped to help you with general life stressors, anxiety, depression, and life transitions; however, some therapists specialize in specific techniques or modalities. 

Some more specialized areas may include…

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Specific Phobias

• Trauma Disorders

• Spirituality

• Personality Disorders

• Relationship Issues

• Identity Exploration

• Parenting Concerns

2. How Do You Want to Pay?

Before seeking a therapist, it’s important to know what you can afford and how you will pay for therapy. Do you plan to use your insurance? If so, it could be helpful to call your carrier and ask for therapists near you paneled with them. Ask about co-payments and deductibles, as well as out-of-network benefits, if you are unable to find a good fit in-network. Your insurance company may be willing to cover some of the bill even if the therapist is out of your network. Some therapists will provide you with a “superbill” to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement, but the responsibility will be on you to pay the full fee up-front. 

Many therapists elect to be private pay, myself included. There are a myriad of reasons a therapist may choose to be private pay, but common ones include the absence of pressure to unduly or quickly diagnose a client, more flexibility with treatment planning, no limit on approved sessions, and avoiding the headache that is insurance. Private pay means that you pay the full fee at the time of service. Therapists’ fees can really range, though most in the Atlanta, Georgia area are likely to be between $120 and $300. 

If you are paying privately and cannot afford a therapist’s full fee, ask them if they offer a sliding scale. Typically, therapists will have an allotted number of slots in their caseload that slide so that they can offer services to those who need help but can’t pay full cost. Sliding scale payments are relative to your income (if you make less, you pay less). 

So, consider what you can afford and how you want to pay. 

3. Consider Logistics

Knowing the logistics of how, when, and how often you see your therapist is also key. Do you prefer in-person or online? (Many therapists are still online only due to COVID, but not all!) If in-person, is the travel time to their office realistic and doable for you on a regular basis? 

Also consider when you are available for therapy appointments. Are you comfortable meeting on your lunch break (and returning to work after)? Do you need an early morning, evening, or weekend appointment? Ask your potential therapist when they have availability. 

Finally, consider how frequently you will see your therapists. Most therapists will want to see you weekly, at least at first, to establish rapport and get more in-depth with your treatment. Other options are biweekly, monthly, or even more frequently, such as twice a week. Note that monthly sessions are considered more “maintenance” sessions and will not be appropriate for many clients just starting out. 

4. Style and Modality

To find a therapist that best fits your unique needs and personality, reflect on some of the following questions. What type of person do you want to work with and who do you feel most comfortable opening up to? Do you prefer someone very direct and solution-oriented, or would you rather work with someone who allows more space for you to work things out on your own? Are there salient parts of your identity that you want your therapist to be knowledgeable about, or even have lived experience with? Most therapists will be very open and affirming of who you are, but some clients desire a therapist who also shares certain identities. 

Are you okay with a therapist who assigns homework? Do you want to learn skills, or do you want just traditional talk therapy? Do you want a therapist who educates you on the theory behind their interventions? Are you okay with someone who includes humor, or does that feel insensitive and inappropriate? There are no right or wrong answers to the above, just answers that reflect your preferences. 

Finally, do you want a therapist who is trained in a specific type of therapy (you may hear this referred to as a modality or the theory they work from)? Nowadays, a lot of therapists incorporate different interventions from multiple types of therapy, based on their client’s needs, but sometimes a specific problem is best matched with a specific modality. Here are a few examples:

• Exposure and Response Prevention (EXRP) Therapy is the gold standard for treating OCD.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy is the go-to modality for clients with Borderline Personality Disorder.

• Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, EMDR, and more are typical treatments for trauma disorders.

There are many modalities out there, and it’s okay to feel unsure which ones you need. Therapists can help guide you to specific therapies if it becomes evident you need something outside their wheelhouse. Check out what type of therapy your prospective therapist practices and see if it may be a good fit; I encourage you to keep an open mind. 

 5. Actually Finding Them!

Now that you’ve considered all of the above, how the heck do you go about actually finding the therapist that meets your needs? Well, you really can google it! But I encourage you to be fairly specific in your google search, such as “anxiety therapists in Georgia+telehealth.” There are also therapist directories online, such as Therapy Den, Inclusive Therapists, Psychology Today, and Good Therapy. Directories typically allow you to enter specific criteria to help narrow down your search. 

Another great way to find someone is through word of mouth, and you’ll be helping to de-stigmatize mental health by talking about it. Ask around for recommendations. Even if a therapist you reach out to isn’t a good fit, ask them if they can recommend someone who they think may work well with you. 

So get out there and start your search! There are thousands and thousands of therapists out there who cannot wait to help. Even though it can feel a bit like speed dating, finding the right fit is so important. Don’t hesitate to do consultation calls with multiple therapists before settling on the one you best click with. 

Check out my other blog posts and submit any topics you’d like to see me address!

Happy Therapist Hunting!