Individual Counseling: How To Find the Right Therapist for You

Navigating the world of individual counseling can seem overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding the right therapist. Maybe you’ve never been to therapy before and you want to find a good fit. Or maybe you have been to therapy before and you’ve struggled to connect with your therapist in the past, but you aren’t sure why. 

The process of finding the right therapist can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Today, you will learn about some things you can ask yourself when it comes to finding the right therapist. Then, you’ll learn how to schedule your first appointment to get started. 

The Search for the Right Therapist

It takes a lot of courage to make the choice to come to therapy. Opening up to someone can be scary! You might wonder how you can even get to the point where you can share things openly in therapy. (Related Article: How to Find a Therapist Step-by-Step).

If you are with a therapist who is a good fit for you and your needs, therapy will still be a process. But, with the help of the right therapist, you will likely find that openly communicating about your struggles becomes less intimidating with time.

So, how can you go about finding the right therapist for you? The “best” therapist for you will be totally unique. The right person for me, your neighbor, your best friend, your child, or even your spouse might not be the best fit for you and your individual needs (Related Article: Utah Counseling Styles and Specialties). 

So, as you search for a therapist, perhaps consider the following: 

Insurance or Payment Method

In your search for a therapist, keep in mind that, at least at first, you may need weekly appointments. That cost can add up quickly, especially if you are out of network or paying out of pocket for services. 

Ask yourself, is this therapist in network for my insurance? What can I expect to pay for each appointment? Or, if you don’t have insurance, how much does this therapist charge per session? Is that something I can reasonably afford? Although therapy isn’t meant to be about the money or numbers, thinking of these things ahead of time can prevent a situation where you find a therapist you enjoy who is unaffordable for your current situation. (Related Article: Individual Counseling: What it is and What it Isn’t).

If you are on a tight budget, consider reaching out to your insurance to ask about your mental health coverage. Or, if you plan to pay an out of pocket rate, don’t rule out working with an intern or associate therapist. Their rates are often more affordable, and they are still under the supervision of a qualified and experienced therapist; it can be like seeing two therapists in one! (Related article: What Happens in Therapy)

Availability

The next thing to consider is if the therapist has availability that works with your schedule. If you work 9-5, it might not be ideal to see a therapist who only sees clients from 9-5! If you prefer to see someone while your kids are at school, a therapist who generally works with clients in the late afternoon and nights or weekends might struggle to find availability that works for your calendar.

Availability might seem like it would be low on the priority list. But, if you find a wonderful therapist and you have opposite schedules, it will be very difficult to find the time and availability to meet with them consistently. (Related article: Individual Counseling).

As you search, ask yourself; when am I typically available for appointments? Are certain days and times ideal for me? Do I need to arrange childcare? Would I enjoy meeting with my therapist during this time of day, or would an early morning/late night/lunch break appointment add excessive stress to my schedule?

The Therapist’s Age, Sex, and Background

Another aspect of the right therapist that you might overlook is the therapist’s background. You might find the most qualified therapist with the perfect appointment rate and availability. But, if you struggle to open up to a therapist who is younger than you or the opposite gender, you might find that they are suddenly not the greatest fit after all. 

As you look at therapist options and review their background and bios online, consider some of the following: How old is the therapist? What is their sex and gender? Are they similar to you? Are they different? Think of some of your other mentors and confidants outside of the therapy room. What about those people makes them emotionally safe for you? Your answers to these questions will be totally unique to you and your preferences. And having awareness of these things ahead of time can prepare you to find the best therapist for you. 

Individual Counseling and You

These questions are just a few examples of things you can ask yourself as you search for a therapist. In our next blog post, I’ll explain some of the more “clinical” aspects of the right therapist for you and your needs. (Related article: All About Marriage and Family Therapists).

The good news is that you don’t have to search for a new therapist alone. Our office staff can help you find the best therapist for your needs. Ready to get started? Fin d Individual Counseling in Orem, South Jordan, or Spanish Fork.

Written By Lauren Adkins