The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Therapist Near You
Almost half of Americans with clinical-level mental health challenges don’t get help. Why is this? One of the major barriers to getting a therapist is a lack of knowledge. Many people aren’t sure what kind of help to seek, how therapy could benefit them, or even how to find a qualified therapist.
This guide aims to demystify the process, starting from the beginning. We’ll explore who can benefit from therapy and how it helps. We’ll then cover how to search for a therapist and how to ensure you find the right fit for your needs.
Who Needs Therapy?
Most people know therapy can be useful for specific mental health diagnoses like anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, substance use issues, and others. But even if you don’t think you have a specific mental health disorder, you might benefit from therapy. If you’re grappling with mild to moderate mental health challenges, or if you’re having difficulty with interpersonal relationships, anger, grief, or other tough situations, therapy can help support you.
It’s a common misconception that people don’t need therapy if they can identify a specific life event causing their distress. But just because you know the cause of a mental health challenge, doesn’t diminish the help a therapist can provide! For example, in Providence, Rhode Island, Dyad Psychology provides individual therapy to clients facing a wide range of challenges, such as life transitions, pregnancy and the postpartum period, grief and loss, and other difficult situations.
Many people also question if they are “sick enough” to need therapy. This hesitation is partly a result of continuing stigma surrounding mental health care. But if you’re even considering therapy, chances are, you could benefit from it. Other signs that professional support might help you include:
Your mental health is significantly impacting or limiting you in daily life,
You feel preoccupied by your mental health, or
You’re having trouble coping with challenges on your own.
How Does Therapy Help?
Another common question people have about therapy is what the tangible benefits are. Therapy is a collaborative process in which you and your therapist work together to define and achieve your goals. Here are just a few common results of therapy:
Developing strategies or skills to help you approach specific challenges,
Examining and challenging unhelpful patterns in your behavior or relationships,
Healing from the long-term effects of traumatic experiences,
Relieving specific mental health symptoms, and
Helping you grow as a person.
Many people find that therapy equips them to deal with the challenges of life and improves their overall well-being!
BEFORE Your Therapist Search
Once you’ve decided to pursue therapy, the next step is to begin your search for a therapist.
Types of Mental Health Providers
The terminology surrounding mental health care can be confusing. There are similarities and differences between a “psychologist,” “counselor,” “therapist,” and “psychiatrist”:
Psychologist: Typically has a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) and is highly trained to provide different forms of therapy.
Counselor: Typically has a master’s degree; in Rhode Island, this is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) degree. Sometimes counselors focus more on short-term problems instead of long-term therapy, and sometimes they provide long-term work.
Therapist: A general term that can apply to psychologists and counselors, as well as other mental health professionals.
Psychiatrist: Medical doctors (MDs) who can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists offer therapy, while others focus on medical management of mental health.
If you’re looking for someone to provide talk therapy or another therapeutic intervention, a psychologist or a counselor is a good bet! If you find someone who identifies as a therapist, verify their specific credentials so you understand their training.
Guiding questions
Before you begin your search, reflect on a few questions to help streamline the process:
What are your goals for therapy? What issues do you hope to address, and how would you like to see yourself change?
What qualities matter to you in a therapist? Are there any particular backgrounds, identities, or types of experiences you’re looking for?
Are you looking for a specific method of therapy? Beyond traditional talk therapy, lesser-known options like group therapy, mind-body therapies, or psychedelic-assisted therapy might benefit you.
Searching for a Therapist
Now that you have a clearer idea of your needs, here are some options for finding a therapist in Providence, Rhode Island.
Online Search Platforms
There are several online search platforms you can use to find therapists. In Rhode Island, ZenCare is one of the best options! You can also check out tools such as Psychology Today.
These websites offer convenience, allowing you to filter therapists according to insurance, location, and any specific issues you want help with. If you have a specific condition (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc.) that you want help for, or a specific therapy method (e.g., CBT, ACT, IFS Therapy, etc.), you can use these websites to find a therapist with expertise in these areas.
Referrals
Another great way to find a therapist is to ask around. Oftentimes, trusted personal contacts can provide good recommendations. You can also ask a medical provider like a primary care doctor for a referral to a therapist.
Directories
If you have health insurance, check your provider’s website or call their member services to find a directory of in-network providers. Some professional organizations like the American Psychological Association also have public directories of therapists in your area.
Contacting Therapists
After you’ve identified promising options, get in touch! You may need to reach out to a few different people until you find someone who is accepting new clients.
Therapists differ in their initial approaches. At Dyad Psychology, we offer a free fifteen-minute consultation so we can figure out how to best serve a prospective clients. In a shorter consultation, don’t expect to delve deeply into your situation—focus on asking your most pressing questions and getting a sense of whether you feel comfortable and think you could work well with this therapist.
ASKING THE RIGHT Questions
During the consultation or the first appointment, make sure you get answers to your pressing questions. Some good initial questions for a therapist include:
Whether they accept your insurance,
What the out-of-pocket cost of appointments might be,
What their cancellation policy is, and
What times of day they offer appointments.
You may want to ask the therapist about their experience and their approach to therapy. This is a great opportunity to gauge whether their method of therapy resonates with you.
If you have a specific concern, background, or identity, you can ask if the therapist has experience working with people like you. In addition, now is a great time to ask any logistical questions you have, such as:
What a typical session is like,
How often you’ll meet,
How many sessions you might need,
Whether you can contact them outside of sessions,
How they’ll assess your progress, and
If they’ll expect you to do complete tasks between sessions.
Finding a Good Fit
It’s common to meet with a few therapists, and even attend a couple of sessions, to find someone who’s a good fit for you. Take your time and trust your instincts; having a strong, trusting relationship with your therapist is crucial for the success of therapy.
It’s normal not to immediately have a deep sense of trust for your therapist. After all, they’re a stranger at first. However, if you don’t think you’ll be able to trust them after a few sessions, they’re probably not a good fit for you. Here are some other questions to ask yourself as you determine whether you’ve found the right therapist:
Do I feel understood by my therapist?
Do I feel genuine emotions in our interaction?
Can I openly express my emotions and reveal my experiences?
If you’re unsure if someone is a good fit for you, it never hurts to openly discuss these feelings with them; a good therapist will welcome this conversation.
Conclusion
Therapy can be transformative. Now you know some reasons people might seek therapy, how therapy can benefit you, and how to find a therapist in Providence, Rhode Island. By following these steps—from defining your needs to vetting possible options—you’ll be well-equipped to find someone who can help you grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best way to search for a therapist?
Online search platforms such as ZenCare are excellent starting points, since they let you filter therapists according to your insurance, location, and other preferences. You can also ask friends or a medical provider for a referral. Lastly, you can contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network professionals.
How do I find a therapist who’s the right fit for me?
Many therapists will offer an initial consultation for you to ask pressing questions and get a feel for their approach. During your initial sessions, ask yourself if you feel understood by your therapist and if you feel you are able to freely share your emotions and experiences with them. It’s crucial to have a strong, trusting relationship with your therapist.
What should I ask a potential therapist?
Make sure you ask the key logistical questions, like their insurance acceptance and availability. You can also inquire about their training, areas of expertise, and experience with any specific concerns you have. Don’t hesitate to clarify any lingering questions, such as what a session is like, what they’ll expect of you, and how they’ll assess your progress.