August 14th, 2024
The search for a therapist can be both exciting and overwhelming, often leading us to give up the search in frustration or simply settling for the first available therapist we find with hopes of being able to begin therapy. The endless searches, the therapy specific jargon that can easily become confusing, and the anxiety around starting therapy often leave clients feeling overwhelmed and defeated.
As a therapist, I often hear clients share their journey with me on how they found me as a therapist and what ultimately brought them to my office. After assuring it’s a good fit, we can begin therapy with confidence.
In less ideal cases, I may need to inform a client that I'm not the right fit for their needs and they are yet again having to continue their search. However, I would never leave a client to navigate this alone. I always offer guidance on who I would specifically recommend or what to consider when finding a new therapist.
Research validates that finding the right therapist for you and your needs has a robust influence on the outcome of treatment (Flückiger, Del Re, Wampold, & Symonds, 2011). My hope is to shed a little light on a few items to consider so you can find a therapist that is right for you. Let’s get started!
Here are somethings to keep in mind while you search for the perfect therapist near you:
One of the first questions I ask patients is, “what brings you to therapy.” This question is quite simple in form, yet complex in its own regard. Frequent responses are a desire for happiness, because family/friends/partner told them to come, or because there is something in their life that is not working the way they hope.
I like to prompt further-Why do you want to feel happy? If someone else wanted you to get therapy, what led you to the decision to actually come? What’s not working and why do you want to change it? It’s important to know what you’re hoping to get from therapy so you can be sure that the therapist you work with is going to support your goals and is willing to do the work alongside with you.
There are hundreds of therapists in Chicago, and sifting through all their profiles is unrealistic and time-consuming. Not to mention the endless options of online therapists you have access too with today's modern technology. Asking family and friends if they are in therapy and if they would recommend their therapist or practice can help eliminate a lot of busy work. Family and friends can also be helpful in sharing how they found their therapist and what they find important in their treatment.
The therapeutic space can be quite vulnerable and a carrier of many thoughts and emotions. Connecting with your therapist will foster the growth of this experience, which makes it important that you are working with someone who you feel can support you in the best way. Be mindful of any race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, etc you may definitely want in a therapist.
While these factors may not guarantee goodness of fit or outcomes, therapists understand that matching with a therapist in a particular demographic can greatly influence the therapeutic alliance, experience, trust, and understanding.
Some people simply prefer a therapist who shares their gender, age, or life experiences, as this can create a greater sense of understanding and rapport. For example, a young woman might feel more comfortable discussing certain issues with a female therapist of a similar age.
This plays into the previous tip of taking demographics into account to help you feel more comfortable and connected to your therapist. If cultural, religious, or other personal aspects are important to you, don’t be afraid to seek a therapist who understands and respects those aspects of your life. This can be especially important when discussing issues related to identity, family dynamics, or societal pressures.
For those who identify as LGBTQ+, finding a therapist who is affirming and knowledgeable about LGBTQ+ issues is crucial. This ensures that your identity is respected and that the therapist is equipped to address issues specific to your experience.
Remember the statement above regarding therapy jargon- this is the section where I’m really going to bring them out! CBT, DBT, ACT, ERP- psychology LOVES a good acronym (almost more than a good therapy metaphor). What does all of this mean and why is it important to consider?
Most jargon and acronyms you see will be in regard to the therapist’s approach to treatment. If you’ve never been in therapy before, it is expected you will have no idea which approach will be right for you and I would recommend adding this to a list of questions to ask providers. If you have been in treatment before and have a sense of what worked and what didn’t work, I would take this into consideration while looking for a mental health therapist.
Some approaches are more focused on the processing while others are more experiential in nature and skill-based. If you have an idea of what may feel most supportive for you, ask what the goal of their approach is. Most importantly, if there are any specific reasons you are going to therapy, please make sure the therapist specializes in that area.
Examples may be eating disorders, substance use, self-harm, chronic pain, and so forth. Not working with a therapist who specializes in your needs may lead to the behaviors worsening or limited progress in treatment. You can even search for therapists that specialize in certain types of treatment methods such as searching for a cognitive behavioral therapist near you.
When choosing a therapist, it’s important to consider the logistical aspects that will affect your ability to attend sessions regularly and without added stress. Think about logistics like location, availability, and cost. Make sure the therapist’s office hours, location, and fees fit your schedule and budget. By considering these practicalities, you can reduce potential barriers to attending therapy and make it easier to maintain consistency, which is key to making progress in therapy.
Most therapists, if not all, will have a profile you can view with an attached picture. The reason therapists and practices do this is to be sure the client gets a sense of who the therapist is and how they approach therapy. Some may use humor, and holistic approaches, or are more conservative in their approach.
By reading their profile and getting a glimpse into who they are, clients may be more willing to attend an initial appointment rather than play roulette with a stranger. Their profiles may also speak to their theoretical orientation and specialties so be sure to check them out!
Therapists often offer a brief phone consultation, usually around 15 minutes, to determine if it's a good fit and whether it's worthwhile for the client to schedule a full initial session. I strongly recommend using this time to share what it is that is bringing you to therapy and ask all the questions recommended above. If you also know you have certain availability, be sure to verify the therapist can accommodate that for you as well.
I’ll resist my urge to discuss the neuroscience of gut instinct (save that for another article!) and just encourage you to listen to your gut! How did you feel during your first session? How did the interaction feel between you and the therapist? How are you leaving the session- anxious, excited, hopeful, confused? Did this therapist validate, normalize, and respect you during the session?
If you have any doubts this therapist may be a good fit or if you want to return to therapy, you have a few options:
My hope is that these tips provide a sense of relief and ease as you begin or continue your journey to therapy. It is not a perfect science, however a pivotal part of your journey to well-being. Congratulations on making the courageous decision to participate in therapy and I wish you all lots of growth as you embrace this opportunity.
Clarity Clinic is here to help ensure you can get the best therapy near you! We offer highly family therapists, couples therapists, child therapists, and more! Our trained staff specialize in therapy and psychiatry services to give you the best mental health care in Chicago.
Whether you are interested in couples therapy or looking for a specialized child therapist near you, we can help. Schedule an appointment in one of our mental health clinic locations throughout Chicago ( Loop, River North, Arlington Heights, Evanston, Belmont Lakeview, Broadway Lakeview) or book our online therapy options.
Clarity offers online therapy that takes insurance and our in person mental health therapists accept insurance plans as well.
To learn more about how we can support your mental health, call Clarity Clinic at (312) 815-9660 or schedule an appointment today.
Find a Therapist!Written By: Lindsay Buval, LCPC
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