Are you or a loved one struggling with poor mental health? Whether it’s anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, it can be difficult to admit that you need help and it can be even more challenging to find the care that’s best for you.
Finding the right therapist is the first step in your journey of improving your mental health. These tips can help you pick a therapist that fits your needs.
Tip #1: Identify what you need help with
When struggling with mental health, there are various reasons you may seek a therapist. Perhaps you’re feeling unlike yourself, having relationship troubles or dealing with trauma. It’s also common for those struggling with substance use disorder to have co-occurring mental health issues. If this is you, you can get help for both at the same time. Identifying what is troubling your mental health the most can help you align your needs and goals with a therapist.
After establishing your needs and the areas you want to work on, you may consider the type of therapy that would best accomplish your goals. Common types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, which can be useful if you’re experiencing changes in your thoughts or behavior. There is also eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy or EMDR, which is useful if you’re struggling with post-traumatic stress.
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At The Recovery Village, the types of therapy we offer include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: During CBT, you focus on your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes to understand how they relate to problematic behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: DBT helps you learn how to deal with difficult emotions and minimize struggles in your relationships through various coping skills.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: EMDR helps you process trauma and cope with painful emotions through eye tracking techniques.
- Individual Therapy: With individual therapy, you can learn how to effectively manage stress, make healthy decisions, set goals and increase self-awareness.
- Group Therapy: In group therapy, you can get peer support, develop social skills, increase self-growth and learn how to take accountability.
Sometimes you may not specifically know what you need help with and that’s okay. The factors contributing to a person’s poor mental health aren’t always obvious, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a therapist for help if you’re unsure what you intend to gain from it.
Tip #2: Evaluate your insurance, finances and budget
The price of therapy and substance abuse treatment can vary based on insurance coverage and other factors, so it’s crucial that you assess your insurance coverage, evaluate your finances, and create a budget to navigate the costs of therapy.
Generally, working with a therapist within your insurance plan is more cost-effective, so take a look at the network of therapists it offers by calling your insurance provider or visiting their website. Take note if there’s a limit on the number of sessions you can attend per year.
Typically, your insurance will cover therapists only in your state but depending on licensure laws and the insurance coverage you have, it’s possible to see an out-of-state therapist. Just check with your insurance provider to know what your options are.
It’s important to keep in mind that copays may not exist with some mental health providers. Instead, they may ask for the full payment upfront at the time of your session and then it’s your responsibility to send your receipts to your health insurance for reimbursement. However, other mental health providers may take your insurance information before the session, including those at The Recovery Village locations.
Remember, you still have the option to work with an out-of-network therapist, it just may be more expensive. Take a look at your finances and if you can afford to pay full price out-of-pocket. To keep up with self-pay, create a budget for your expenses to ensure you have enough money every month for your therapy sessions.
Tip #3: Research with a reliable database or provider
Using an up-to-date, credible database will help you start your online search for a therapist, especially if you can’t find one through a friend or colleague. Using a reliable database will also ensure you find a licensed therapist that has completed the essential training and education needed to properly provide you with the help you need for your mental health.
Some of the most commonly used online search tools include:
- American Psychological Association
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists
Remember to type your zip code in your search to strengthen your chances of finding a therapist local to you.
At The Recovery Village facilities across the country, we offer primary mental health treatment, including Inpatient and outpatient rehab services. In our subacute inpatient mental health rehab, patients focus entirely on their mental health while living onsite at a treatment facility for two to four weeks. They’ll attend several group and individual therapy sessions per week, take advantage of our recreational therapy spaces and take a break from the triggers in their normal environments.
In our outpatient rehab centers, patients attend individual therapy sessions weekly or biweekly with their professional therapists, either onsite or through online telehealth appointments. These sessions help patients continue their lives in the community while taking for their mental health.
Tip #4: Identify credentials and specialties
Once you’ve found a therapist you’re interested in on a reliable database or through a treatment center, it’s important to understand their experience and specialties, since both factors can impact the care you receive.
By knowing the issues you want to work on in therapy, you can specifically research therapists that specialize in those areas. For example, if you’re struggling with addiction, it may be helpful to research therapists or treatment centers that have expertise in addiction counseling. You can also search for therapists that specialize in a particular group, like teenagers, LGBTQ+ or married couples.
Tip #5: Identify local resources
It’s okay if you’re having trouble finding a therapist that is either covered by your insurance, within your budget or has the experience related to your needs. To help you, identify the communities you’re a part of; it’s possible you may already have some resources close to you.
It’s common for universities to have a counseling center, advocacy organizations to offer one-on-one or group therapy sessions, and worship centers like a church or synagogue to offer faith-based treatment or connections to particular therapists. Considering the communities you take part in allows you to take advantage of the resources available to you.
Tip #6: Ask questions in the initial consultation
You’ve done your research and you think you’ve found a therapist that’s right for you. Well, it’s still important to go to the initial consultation with an open mind and assess whether or not the chosen therapist is actually a good match for your needs and goals.
To understand how the therapist may be able to help you in your journey to better mental health, consider asking them questions about their experience or credentials.
Asking them about their specialties will help you gain insight about whether they have experience in the areas you want to work on, like anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Examples of questions you can ask include:
- Are you licensed in my state?
- How many years have you been practicing?
- What groups or therapies do you specialize in?
- Do you have experience in…(the areas you want to work on)
- What is your therapy process?
Tip #7: Assess how you’re feeling in therapy
It’s common to feel awkward or uncomfortable during your first few therapy sessions. Therapy is a process of opening up and being vulnerable because you will be discussing personal and challenging topics. At the same time, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your therapist and that you can be honest with them without feeling judged.
Consider your thoughts and feelings during therapy and ask yourself if you’re becoming comfortable with your therapist. If you’re feeling unheard, it’s okay to find someone else. Not everyone finds a therapist that’s a match for them on their first try.
To help you navigate through your thoughts and feelings during your first few therapy sessions, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I feel respected by my therapist?
- Do I feel judged by my therapist?
- Do I feel comfortable being honest with them, or do I feel the need to lie?
- Does my therapist listen to what I say and is present with me in the session?
Finding a therapist that matches your needs and goals will take time and might even require you to try a few different therapists before finding one that you’re comfortable and happy with. But utilizing these helpful tips can help make the process easier for you.
Finding Your Therapist at The Recovery Village
At The Recovery Village, we offer inpatient and outpatient mental health rehab with experienced, licensed therapists at the top of their fields.Our clinicians specialize in a variety of mental health conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction treatment.
Both inpatient and outpatient rehab services offer similar therapies to treat mental health disorders, like CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, individual and group therapy. However, inpatient rehab takes place in a residential setting where the patient lives at the facility full-time for several weeks. In outpatient rehab, patients attend scheduled appointments with their therapist weekly, either onsite at the location or in online teletherapy sessions.
