We wish we could say that choosing the right therapist for your problem was going to be simple, but the truth is, it’s going to take some effort on your part. After reading the descriptions of the therapies, hopefully, you’ll have a better idea about the type of treatment you’re looking for, which is the treatment that works best for your problems. Then, if you don’t already have a recommendation for a therapist who offers that type of treatment, you can get a referral by:

• Asking your primary care provider
  
  
• Asking someone you know and trust who’s been in therapy before
  
  
• Contacting your insurance company
  
  
• Contacting the national, state, or county association that governs the type of professional you’re looking for, such as the American Psychological Association or the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.
  
  
• Contacting an association of professionals that provides the type of treatment you’re looking for, such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the EMDR International Association.
  

When you eventually speak with a therapist for the first time, you should briefly explain the nature of your problem and why you’re calling. Then ask a few basic questions such as, “Do you have experience treating problems like mine?” If the answer is no, ask the person for a referral to someone who does.

Also, be sure to ask about the type of treatment he or she might use for your problem. If the therapist suggests something you’re not familiar with, ask the person to give you an idea of what it might involve. If the treatment doesn’t sound like something you’d want to try, ask for a referral to someone else. Moreover, if the answer is vague and unfocused, ask for the specific steps of the treatment. If the therapist can’t describe it very well, he or she may not know it very well. Again, ask for a referral to someone else.

And, finally, ask how much the treatment costs and whether they accept your insurance, if applicable. Most professionals charge per session, and prices vary as much by specialty as they do by state. Then, if you’re satisfied with the answers you get, ask to make an appointment.

Don’t expect to spend too much time on the phone talking with the person. You simply want to find out if the therapist has the skills and experience you’re looking for to treat your problem.


Adapted from Therapy 101: A Brief Look at Modern Psychotherapy Techniques & How They Can Help by Jeffrey C. Wood, Psy.D. and Minnie Wood, NP