7 Ways to Find the Best Therapist for You

Start with knowing what you want and not settling for less.

When I was younger, I didn't maturely associate with the term "mental health". Although I was familiar with various causes and effects of mental states, I wasn't intellectually exposed to concepts of anxiety, self-awareness, or therapy. Anxiety was a major contributor to my state of being as a child, and although I understood and valued the positive outcomes therapy can create, I've only been once. This was mainly due to financial setbacks, convincing myself I didn't have enough time, not allowing myself to step out of my comfort zone, or simply not having insurance.

I'm grateful to say that I have now departed from all of those setbacks and am now looking forward to my second ever mental health session! So here are 7 tips for finding YOUR therapist and creating a refreshing mental health retreat for yourself with the aid of a health professional. The best part is, it's coming from someone who knows firsthand the concerns that come with it.

1. Know Whose Paying For It

If you have insurance...

Then the first thing you should do is call your provider, using the number on your insurance card or a search on google, and specifically confirm what mental health services they cover. Know that there are active laws put into place, that are gaining wind globally, that recognize mental health as a health priority. Many insurances are required by law to offer coverage for mental health, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Once you're on the phone with an insurance representative make sure you're asking questions that confirm:

1. A list of eligible services

2. Copay

3. Referral or preapproval processes

4. Telehealth/teletherapy

5. Reimbursement for prior visits

If you do NOT have insurance...

Then fear not because it is 2022 and we have options guys! There are those who don't mind paying out of pocket for quality service, and if this is you then feel free to move along to our next 6 tips. But if you're balling on a budget like most of us, then fear not. There are other methods to securing therapy-like mental health sessions; they come in many forms including:

1. Federally and community-funded Mental Health Centers

2. Support Groups

3. Community Mental Health Workshops

4. Student Counseling Centers (many colleges offer FREE or very affordable therapy sessions for their students. These are usually run by graduate students pursuing their PhDs or clinicians-in-training.)

5. Community Counseling Centers (many communities are catching wind of the impact mental health has and are developing accessible programs. Look up what's near you.)

6. Online Mental Health Resources (such as Kokoropsyche!) or an app

2. Know Why You're Going

If you don't know why you're going to therapy, not even a general idea of it, then you're most likely not ready to go. Don't go because everyone else around is going, don't go because someone in your life just won't shut up about it – go because in your heart and soul you know you want to get to know yourself better, you need and are ready for healing, or you feel an inclining pull down that road of therapy.

If you aren't clear on knowing what you want out of therapy, then you'll simply be wasting your own time and money. Where's the joy in that? Be sure that your priorities align with seeking guidance towards inner healing and getting to truly who you are and why you are.

If you go into therapy, naive, then you might unknowingly subject yourself to the process of uprooting trauma before you are mentally and emotionally ready. This can simply make the challenge you're trying to overcome even worse.

Also, when you know why you're going, or what specifically you'd like to address, not only will you own a level of emotional preparedness, but you can also look for mental health professionals that specialize in your topics.

"Courage doesn't happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life." – Shannon L. Alder

3. Utilize Your Resources

If you have insurance...

Then you should know that your insurance company has a directory, or list, of all the local health professionals they cover and can provide you with a list of health professionals near you. You can either:

1. Call and speak to a representative, tell them specifically what you need, and have them read out a full list of covered mental health professionals near you.

2. Call the automated call line and have the automated system read out all covered local mental health professionals and their contact details.

3. Go to your insurance's website and access their online directory of covered health professionals. (They'll most likely have filtering options, so you may search specifically for mental health professionals)

Once you have a list to go off of, you can then begin weeding out what you do like and what you don't like in a mental health professional and what they offer.

If you DON'T have insurance...

Then Google is your best friend baby! All you need is to know what you're looking for, once you do that then simply searching all that criteria will pull up options. Criteria to consider using as you filter include:

1. Location

2. Age of Provider

3. Religious Policies

4. Race and Gender sensitivity and exclusivity efforts

5. "Political" viewpoints

Once you have your priorities mapped out, searching for the best therapist for you becomes easier, and you can weed out hundreds by getting specific with your desires.

4. Peep Those Reviews!

Listen guys, reviews were made for a reason; testimonials are still around for a reason! Let's use them, shall we? With honest reviews, you can get honest insights on experiences with mental health providers. You're able to access first-hand information through the perspective of the patient, which is amazing. Sometimes it may take a little time, but in the end, it'll be worth it. And if they don't have any reviews, and you can't seem to find a single testimony, then take that red flag and run!

5. Read the Providers Bio

Every single experienced and qualified health professional with have a generalized biography either on their own website or on a domain of some sort that houses various information about health professionals. Find that biography and read it. With that biography, you can gain an idea of who you are considering to allow aid you in your mental health journey. In their bio, they will discuss what seems most important to them such as:

1. A headshot photo

2. Where they're from

3. What they specialize in (or focused their study in)

4. What ideologies they choose to embody

5. An overall sense of the type of energy they're bringing to the table

6. Consider Tele-therapy

Not everybody is ready to just swallow the giant pill and pour out their deepest thoughts to a stranger just because they're "certified". I definitely understand what it means to dread oversharing, to avoid as many awkward moments as humanly possible, or to identify as a natural-born introvert.

If you go through anything similar to these experiences, then please consider teletherapy. Tele-therapy is simply therapy sessions online via video conference call. Imagine being able to seek mental health sessions in the comfort of your own home. Well, now you can!

More and more providers are going virtual and offering telehealth options. So if you're not ready to physically drive and go into someone's office, then this route may be just for you.

You can even book a free consultation sesh with our life coach today!

7. Know When to Dump Your Therapist

Have you guys ever heard of that silly quote "your girlfriend/boyfriend could be keeping you from your future wife/husband"? As crazy as it sounds that's the first thing that comes to mind here. Your current therapist could be keeping you from your dream therapist; the perfect mental health professional that embodies all of the qualities you cherish the most.

So if you've been feeling like your current sessions aren't fulfilling you the way in which you desire, or maybe you've simply grown out of what this provider has to offer and are ready to receive the next best thing, then acknowledge that inclining and pursue it.

Don't be afraid to end things with your therapist! I promise you, they won't lose sleep over it, and your mental health triumphs over a provider's client list.

You Got This!

Now you're aware of certain questions you can start asking that'll help you find "the one". You deserve easy access to a qualified, affordable mental health professional.

Just like with all new things, finding the right therapist will be characterized by experiences of trial and error and that's okay. Start by knowing what you want, and then use these tips to assist you in finding that for yourself.

Or if you don't feel like doing all the research alone, check out our Kokoro Resources. There, we've linked mentalhealthmatch.com a website that allows you to take a short quiz that automatically filters through their national directory to help find your perfect match.

Which way are you ready to utilize to find your perfect match? Let us know in the comments below! And head over to our online forums, Kokoro Konverse, and let your voice be heard. You can also post anonymously to help protect your peace. Thank you for reading! Kokoropsyche is sending you much love and light.

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Kokoropsyche does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.