Choosing a Mental Health Therapist

________________________________________________________________________

KEY POINTS

• You benefit most from therapy if you develop a trusting relationship with your therapist.
• You may need to meet with a few therapists before you find the one who works best for you.
• When you talk with possible therapists, ask lots of questions about their experience, fees, and ideas for how best to help with your concerns.

________________________________________________________________________

How do I find a therapist?

Ask questions and get referrals from people you know and trust. You could check with:

• Your healthcare provider
• Your clergyman, school teachers, or school counselors
• Friends or family members who have been in therapy
• Your health insurance company
• Your employee assistance program (EAP) at work
• Local mental health or human service agencies
• Professional associations of psychologists, psychiatrists, or counselors

How do I choose a therapist?

There are many types of mental health professionals. Each type has its own training, techniques, and area of expertise. For example, psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medicines as well as provide therapy. Psychologists are trained in counseling, therapy, and testing. Licensed counselors usually have a master’s degree, and may specialize in an area such as marriage or family therapy.

Think about the kind of therapist you would feel most comfortable with. You may prefer someone of a certain age, gender, cultural background, or religion.

You may need to meet with a few therapists before you find the one who works best for you. Most therapists welcome the chance to meet for one session to answer your questions. Ask if there is a charge for the first session when you set the appointment.

What questions should I ask?

To help you decide on the right therapist, you may want to ask the following questions:

Training and experience questions

• What education (bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree) does the therapist have?
• What areas of expertise does the therapist have?
• What experience (number of years doing therapy, in what settings, with what kind of clients) does the therapist have?
• Is the therapist licensed? People with no training at all can call themselves psychotherapists or therapists. Licensed psychologists, psychiatrists, and certified social workers have met state and national requirements.
• What experience does the therapist have with your particular problems, struggles, or diagnosis?

Financial questions

• Ask about the fees and fee schedule:
  • Do you pay after each session, weekly, monthly, or when billed?
  • Do you pay for missed sessions?
  • Are you charged for phone calls?
  • Is there a sliding fee scale or can you work out a payment plan?
• Is the therapist on your health insurance plan?
• Is the therapist covered by your employee assistance plan, if you have one?
• What if you decide you don't want to file with your insurance company?

Confidentiality questions

• How is confidentiality handled? Does the therapist discuss your case with a supervisor?
• What types of personal information will be provided to your insurance company?
• How does the therapist decide what information is shared with your family members and what information is not shared?
• Under what circumstances would the therapist share your confidential information with others such as police, healthcare providers, or employers?

Therapy questions

• What type of therapy does the therapist recommend?
  • Does the therapist mainly focus on your thoughts, feelings, or behaviors?
  • Do they focus on you as an individual or will they include your spouse and/or family in the sessions?
  • What hours is the therapist available?
  • How long are the sessions? (30 minutes? 50 minutes?)
  • How often will you meet?
  • Is there homework between sessions?
  • About how many sessions will therapy take?
  • Can you call or see the therapist in a crisis?
• Will the therapist work with you to set goals? What results might you expect? Are you satisfied with these?
• Can the therapist prescribe medicine or refer to someone who can prescribe medicine?

Above all, are you comfortable with the therapist? You benefit most from therapy if you trust your therapist. Your relationship with your therapist is the most important thing to consider in your decision.