Finding a therapist?
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Finding a therapist?
| Mon, 01-17-2005 - 11:09am |
Recently Ladyirish was talking about counselors/therapists and said “I had to try several before I found the therapist I see now, but he was worth the wait and the effort. He's the best I've ever had, and I'll be "graduating" from therapy some time this year. An area as important as this deserves some serious "comparison shopping."”
How did people find the therapists they like? Where did you get the names of the good ones? Ladyirish - what do you mean by “comparison shopping”?
I’ve seen the suggestion to ask your Primary Care Physician – but I am new with my doctor so he doesn’t really know me. A suggestion he made wouldn’t be much better than picking a name out of the Yellow Pages.
Any help would be welcome.

If you have insurance your member services office should have names of therapists that they cover. Start with whether you want to see a male or female. You may have to try out a few before you feel comfortable. This goes for any therapist or psychiatrist you see. You have to feel ok talking to them, be able to have a comfortable dialogue. It might sound strange, but you'll know when you've found someone you like. You'll "click." Then again, you may see someone for a few months and not feel ok about it. You're the customer so find someone that's right for you.
If you don't have insurance there are many agencies that can help you find one for no charge. Do you live in the US? There are Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and Jewish Children and Family Services that might have names of therapists or a social worker you can talk to there that can point you in the right direction. United Way also has lots of information on where you can find therapy information. Your local Human Services Department does as well. Check to see if you have a Mental Health Department or a Community Health Center to call and ask for the information. Any county should have most of these.
Good luck.
Sara
If you or your spouse work, you may be entitled to using the EAP (Employee assistance plan).
Hi,
My Pastor at my church helped me. The church knows some of the therapists and counselors in the area and often refer people to them. I was speaking to her about what I needed and she helped me to find my t. It helped that she new me and him. I didn't have to look any farther. It was a good match. A church is a good place to look and get a few names if you don't have one of your own.
mel
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Thanks for the comments, everyone. (I've been away for a little while, so just got back to this.)
Mcduenas, that is a good point about the first conversation with the therapist as a way to get a feel for how the two of you communicate. I haven't looked for a therapist since I was in college, and just walked into the counseling center and was assigned to the Psych grad student doing their internship who was next on the list.
Be well.
Ergoni
(((((Ergoni))))), I lucked into mine.