Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
How to create a short list of potential therapists Hello, my name is Moshe Ratson from spiral2grow,
and I am a licensed psychotherapist as well as a life coach executive coach in New York
City and all around the word. Finding a successful psychotherapist is not
an easy task. It requires the clients to engage in a selection process that ultimately leads
them to find a therapist that is helpful and effective.
Today, I would like o talk about the process of how to find a therapist, So, in this short
video I would like to provide a few tips on how to create a short list of potential therapists.
Licensed Psychotherapist First, make sure that the psychotherapist
is a licensed therapist in the state you seek counseling. The qualified mental health professional
can be a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed mental health professional, a licensed
social worker or a licensed psychologist. Referral
Some people prefer to keep their search for a therapist confidential. However, if you
feel comfortable to share your challenge with someone you trust (if it is a friend, a family
member, a physician, a pastor, a teacher, etc.), you may use this opportunity to ask
that person for a referral. A referral from trusted source always has an advantage, but
don't make your final decision based on referral alone as it doesn't always result in a good
match. Specialized Training
In addition to their basic educational background and training, psychotherapists tend to specialize
in certain fields, such as couples therapy, relationship counseling, anger management,
self esteem, assertiveness training etc. It is important to choose a therapist with the
specialized training and experience that relevant to clients’ issue.
Experience Experience normally leads to more effective
and successful work and provide a higher probability of success and lasting improvement. Clinicians
with years of experience have seen and treated many clients with a variety of issues. So,
they know what has helped and what hasn't. In general, there is a high correlation between
experiences, effectiveness and successful treatment.
Location and Availability Location and availability are clearly relevant
factors and are based on how flexible you are.
Insurance Some licensed therapists are registered with
major health insurance companies which cover most of therapy fees. At the same time, if
you would like to see someone as out-of-network provider, insurance may reimburse a high portion
of your fees when you submit an invoice from the therapist. As the therapist may need to
share treatment details with the insurance company, some clients choose not to use insurance
because of confidentiality reason. You can check with your insurance to determine how
payment works and get a list of clinicians. Cost/Investment
The fees charged by the therapist can have large variation, from almost free to more
than 300 dollars a a session. Fees tend to be correlated to the level of therapist’s
experience and training, but not always. Remember that in psychotherapy you are not
only investing money, but you also investing time, physical and clearly emotional energy.
So, it is important for you to evaluate your resources as well as the benefits associated
with the therapy. The above list is a lot a lot of information
to sort through. Luckily, the major counseling directories, allow clients to create a short
list of therapist by entering a criteria for selection such zip code, gender, fee, specialty
etc. Once you have a shorter list of prospects, (3 or 4 therapists) you can read the therapist
personal statement, see their photo and learn more about their practice when visiting their
personal website. Check Therapist’s website
In today’s technological age, therapist’s website serves as the main resource of information
about the therapist and its practice as well as it expertise. Read the website carefully
and learn about the therapist, his/her approach and expertise.
Initial Phone Consultation Once you gathered a list of potential candidates
(three or four therapists), it is highly recommended to call the therapist and ask for 10-15 minutes
of their time over the phone to ask some questions and learn about their practice. Some psychotherapists
will even offer a short phone consultation for free.
When you speak with the therapist, ask them to elaborate on any of the issue above that
you are not clear about. This is also a great opportunity for the therapist to communicate
their experience, philosophy, style and approach. While you share with them your challenges,
ask them about their counseling process and their treatment approach in regards to your
problems. Since feeling comfortable is one of the most important factors to a successful
therapy, pay careful attention to your "chemistry" with the therapist. Your subjective experience
with the therapist is just as important as their qualifications and experience.
Don’t rush to make such important decision. If you are not satisfy with your search results,
keep searching different resources or moving down your list. You must feel comfortable
with your decision before setting the initial meeting.
Good Luck.