How to Choose a Therapist

You’ve done all the work of looking for a therapist- you’ve searched Psychology Today, Open Path, or maybe you’ve asked your friends or partners for a list of referrals from their therapists. Now that you have a list of names, credentials, and acronyms in front of you, how do you decide who you want to work with? How do you decide who to trust with your story?

As you go through your list, consider what’s important to you. Here are some ideas of what may matter to you in choosing a therapist:

• Shared identity- gender, sexual orientation, race, political orientation, work experience, etc. 
• Scheduling options- such as telehealth services, or evening availability.
• Training– you want to work with someone who is experienced in supporting people around the issues that are bringing you to therapy.
• Communication- you feel supported while reading their website, and it’s clear how you can reach out to them and when you should expect to hear back. 
• Cost- whether you pay by credit, debit, HSA, or FSA, you’re able to afford their fee on a regular basis so that you can attend at a frequency that feels right to you.

Once you’ve narrowed your list down to a few contenders, set up one or two phone consultations. Research shows that how well you and your therapist get along and “fit” one another is directly related to how much you may benefit from therapy. In other words- finding the right fit is really important! 

Most therapists offer free phone consultations. This is your chance to learn more about them and ask questions to determine if you’d like to set up an appointment. Remember- you’re paying for a valuable service. Any good therapist will be more than happy to answer your questions. 

Here are some example questions you may ask:

• What’s your experience with supporting people around: trauma, anxiety, relationship issues, family dynamics, etc.?
• What values do you hold around neurodivergence, race, disability, sex work, capitalism, etc.? 
• As a therapist, what steps do you take to be affirming of clients who have different identities than you do?
• How can I expect sessions to be structured?
• What should I hope for after working with you?