Home » Student Services » Transitions » Low Cost Mental Health » Mental Health - Section 2

Mental Health Section 2

Choosing a Therapist

Tips on Choosing a Therapist

People seek help for many reasons. Regardless of what is going on in your life that has led you to seek therapy, the following information can be helpful as you begin the process of finding a therapist that is right for you.

What kinds of therapists are there?

There are a few different types of therapists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Psychologists are people who have a PhD in Psychology. Counselors usually have a Masters Degree in Counseling and may be licensed. Clinical Social Workers typically have a Masters degree in social work and have been licensed by the state in which they practice. Psychologists, Counselors and Clinical Social Workers have all been trained through an internship with supervision. There are other types of licensed therapists such as Marriage & Family Counselors and Chemical Dependency Counselors who have gone through intensive training in their specific fields. Check your insurance plan to find out what type of therapists are covered.

I had a bad experience with individual therapy. Why should I try again?

Each therapist has a different way of doing things, and it may be that you couldn’t relate to the way your therapist tried to help you work on your problems. Also, each therapist also has her own belief system or philosophy on how to work with people, which is called a “practice theory.” Before beginning therapy, ask a therapist what their practice theory is, or simply, “What guides you as you work with people?”

I’m tired of thinking about all of that stuff. Why can’t I just put the past behind me?

Therapy can be a very scary thing because it involves dealing with potentially painful issues. Sometimes, even when we think we’ve put the past behind us, it has a habit of popping up at the weirdest times. Therapy is one way to really deal with and figure out those issues so that you have more control with how they affect your daily life.

If I tell a therapist something, she can’t tell anyone – right?

Confidentiality is a very important part of therapy. It’s crucial that you trust your therapist and feel okay about saying whatever is on your mind. Make sure you talk with your therapist about confidentiality so you know what to expect. Usually, the only time a therapist might tell someone else what you’ve told her is when she believes that you might hurt yourself or someone else, such as a child, might be in danger of being physically hurt.

Here are some question you might ask a potential therapist:

What are your credentials and training?
What are your areas of expertise and specialization?
What specific training do you have in your areas of specialization?
Are you on the provider list for my insurance?
What is your standard fee? How long are sessions? Do you have a sliding fee scale? Are fees different for individuals, couples, or group therapy?
How many clients have you worked with that have similar issues to mine? How did you work with them, and how did it help?
Are you in good standing with your licensing board? Has anyone made a complaint against you? If so, how was it resolved?
Do you receive your own supervision, consultation, or therapy from a professional?
Where did you go to graduate school, and where did you do your internship?
How long have you been practicing?
What are your beliefs about how therapy should work? What do you do during and between sessions?
Can I contact you in an emergency?

(Questions were provided by the website www.trn.org. Further information about choosing a therapist can also be found there.)