How do I Find a Therapist?

If you’ve made the decision to start therapy for anxiety (bravo!), you might be asking yourself how you might go about finding a therapist who can help you. Having a good ‘therapeutic relationship’ (meaning a good sense of trust and rapport between you and your therapist) really impacts how effective the therapy is, so it’s worthwhile taking some time to choose a therapist who will be a good fit for you. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t always as straightforward as we’d like. Most countries prohibit psychologists using client testimonials in their advertising, so it can be difficult to know which ones are the most effective. Depending on the area, you might be facing a long waiting list, or only certain therapists taking your type of insurance. For some people, it can take a couple of tries before they find a therapist who they really connect with. 

Despite these challenges, now is actually a great time to get started with therapy, since it is more accessible than ever – and with online therapy you can access help a lot more easily, and inexpensively, than any time in the past. We know that seeking therapy can be transformational for your anxiety symptoms (link to blog about how does therapy help anxiety), and the support of a trained professional can be the difference between struggling long term, and recovery. 

In this article we will lay out some ideas for finding a therapist who fits well with you, and that is suitable for your current situation.  

Tip 1: Ask around

Just like you might ask your friends or network for recommendation for a good dentist or mechanic, getting a word of mouth referral can be really useful. Whether it is asking your friends who have spoken about having therapy, or checking in with a friend who works in the mental health field and might know if someone who will be a good fit, personal recommendations can be really valuable. 

While you might not want to go to see the same therapist as your friend or partner, their therapist might be able to recommend someone they know, or might have a good idea for how to access help. Many countries have free or sliding scale therapy services that are not widely advertised, so getting information from someone ‘in the know’ can be valuable. 

Your doctor might also be a good resource, since they will have an awareness of your personality and presenting issues, and can match you with a suitable therapist. If you’re asking your doctor for a referral or recommendation, make sure you give them as much information as possible about what you are looking for – so that they can choose accordingly. Remember – therapy works best when you are a good match with your therapist, so don’t be afraid to ask for what you want! 

Tip 2: Research types of therapy

In our other blogs, we talk about the different types of therapy for anxiety. There are several different well-validated therapies that work for anxiety, and it can be useful to read some more about these and decide which one you prefer. Most therapists specialise in a number of different therapies, but you might want to choose one who specialises in your therapy of choice, to make sure you get high quality treatment. 

Tip 3: Internet search

Most countries have professional bodies with websites that have directories of therapists, listing their specialities and locations. You can also just google ‘psychologist near me’ and there will be useful results. 

Most therapists now have websites and online profiles, so you can read about their background and experience. You might even be able to read some articles they have written on their website to give you a sense of how they work. When you’re looking for a therapist, some things to keep in mind would be who you might feel comfortable with – some people have preferences for gender, age or even location of their therapist – additionally, if you are comfortable using telehealth, you may be able to look even further afield for a therapist that you like – since you will not be limited to searching by location. 

One important factor to look for is a current license with the country or state’s licensing body. Similar to doctors or dentists, practicing therapists need to meet certain standards including their education being verified, and having gone through an accredited training process. This is to ensure that your therapist has been properly trained and is qualified to help you – just like you wouldn’t want to visit a doctor or dentist who had insufficient training, the same applies for mental health professionals. You will likely be able to see their qualifications listed on their website and their biography will include a description of their training, and the associations that they are a member of. 

In safe hands

As you’re going through this process, it is also good to remember that most therapists are very well trained and need to go through rigorous training programs – so any licensed therapist will likely be able to help you and offer support and guidance. That said, there is a lot of value in taking some time to find someone who you feel comfortable with, and who you trust to help you. As we’ve mentioned, therapy can be a powerful treatment for anxiety, and a good working relationship with your therapist can make a huge difference.  

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