Seeking therapy can be a scary step to take. It requires effort and finding a therapist that you feel safe with can be difficult. Ogden Psychological Services has therapists that know how tough therapy and talking can be. We want you to feel heard in our office. Finding a therapist that is willing to work with you and has a personality that you connect with can be made easier with the following tips.
Ask For Recommendations From Someone You Trust
Friends and family can be great resource points when looking around for therapists. Asking people that you trust and who have your best interests at heart is good to ask for recommendation. If your friends don’t go to therapy or don’t like their therapist, it may be best to look elsewhere.
Keep in mind that just because a therapist works for one person, does not mean that you will vibe the same way with that therapist. You may have different personalities than your friends and their therapist may not be helpful to you.
Think About Your Goals
Those who attend therapy should have goals in mind or some idea of how they want to improve. Finding a therapist that aligns with these goals and your overall values is a good place to start. Working towards a common goal helps humans to connect and see eye to eye. If you are wanting to get on a certain medication, find a therapist who can give you that treatment. If you want to work on your trauma surrounding specific issues (race, religion, LGBTQ+, relationships), you will want a therapist that understands or works with that specific group.
Reach Out To Credible Organizations
Online databases and organizations often have credible therapists listed. If you are struggling to find a therapist, or are not sure where to begin, look at these therapists and find one in your area.
Some places to research could be The American Psychological Association, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Center for PTSD, and the Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists. You can also look at available options at the University you attend, your workplace, a faith-based group, or other local support groups.
Finding a therapist that will understand specific issues, especially stressors that are occurring in the outside world and media today, will be able to help you the best. If you belong to a specific religion or minority group, find a therapist that is also in that group.
Ask Specific Questions
Finding the right therapist means asking the right questions. There are essential questions that you should be asking before working with a therapist. Some of these questions include:
- Are you a licensed psychologist in this state?
- How much experience do you have working with people who are dealing with [the issues I am dealing with?]
- What kind of treatments do you offer?
- Do you take my insurance?
- What do you consider to be your specialty or area of expertise?
- Do you take Medicare or Medicaid
- Do you provide telehealth services
- How long will I need to seek treatment with you?
- What do we do if our plan isn’t working or we don’t work together?
Finding a therapist that provides the right answer to all of your questions is usually a safe one to try out. If you work with a therapist and find they are not the best fit for you, don’t be afraid to move on or research other therapists.
Consider Your Budget And Your Insurance Provider
Just like seeing any other healthcare provider, you will want to consider the out-of-pocket cost or if the therapist takes your insurance. This will help give you peace of mind about paying for services and know that you will have access to what you need when you need it most. If you are considering a therapist, most of them will know what insurance they take or their website will provide a list of accepted providers.
Consider Their Cultural Competence
A culture-conscious therapist can better help minority groups or those who experience minority-related issues. There are therapist groups that cater to Blacks, Pacific Islanders, Latinx, and LGBTQ in order to help them better connect with a therapist that has had similar experiences or closely understands their culture.
Some therapists may mean well, but if they do not understand your struggles as a minority, they may not be the right therapist for you. Finding a therapist can be a long process, but it will be worth the effort to find someone who can help you and truly understand you. It will be easier for you to connect and work with someone who is similar to you.
Therapists With Ogden Psychological Services
Our therapists here at Ogden Psychological Services are dedicated to helping you, but if we are not the right fit, we understand that completely. You want to find a therapist that makes you feel comfortable and seen. Our team is dedicated to helping individuals with mental health disorders, those navigating relationship struggles, or those who have PTSD. No matter where you are on your mental health journey, our team can help give you the tools you need. Reach out to us with any questions by calling or filling out our contact form.
