Finding a Therapist

The first consideration for seeking counseling is identifying whether the care is preventative or a response to crisis.  The following are some common reasons someone might be working with a counseling professional:

Before finding a therapist, it is important to identify the purpose or goals of therapy.  Are you seeking diagnostics? Are you managing symptoms of an existing diagnosis? Do you need guidance through a specific issue? Do you need to learn skills to cope with some aspects of life? Or are you looking for general mental health upkeep?

There are a variety of treatment approaches available.  Below you can learn more about different modalities to choose the best fit for your needs:

There are also several different kinds of clinicians, each of whom may provide a service for a specific need.  For example, to meet medication needs, you might find a prescriber, such as a psychiatrist (MD) or psychiatric nurse practitioner (PNP).  Psychologists (PhDs and PsyDs) often provide evaluations, such as neuropsychological or psychoeducational evaluations, to help determine a diagnosis and may also work directly with clients in a therapeutic setting.  Other clinicians who provide direct support and case-management include social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors, among others.  

In order to find the right fit for therapy, there are some factors a client may want to consider.  First, one should determine a budget.  If you are not looking for a provider who accepts insurance, one should review out of pocket costs.  Some therapists are available on a sliding scale and there are several free online resources.  Second, decide if there is a preference for in-person sessions or if telehealth or remote options adequately meet the need.  Third, one should think about the target audience: will individual, family, or group counseling be most appropriate?  Finally, cultural competence is often a vital consideration for many clients.  Demographics of a provider that may be relevant to the fitness of a therapeutic relationship include age, gender identity, religious affiliation, ethnic background, and/or experience working with LGBTQ+ communities.  

Finding a provider can often be the most daunting step in initiating therapy.  When possible, it can be a great resource to utilize your own network of family, friends, physicians, places of worship, insurance lists, and school counselors.  Beyond these options, there are many associations, websites, and tools available to help generate therapist lists, including:

Remember, interviewing potential therapists is part of the process.  During this phase, you should ask all relevant questions about cost, logistics, qualifications, and demographics.  It is crucial to beware of providers who claim to “do it all” and instead look for therapists with specialities or specific training in the best modality for the client’s needs.  Sometimes it can be a process of trial and error to find the right fit, so if things feel as though they are not working, utilize your networks again to return to the drawing board and try again.  Giving a therapist a fair chance is essential, but one should never feel guilty about investigating other options when it is not a good fit.  As always, the wellness counselors at York Prep are also available to assist in the process of connecting students with a therapist and have an ever-expanding list of providers who have experience working with their students. 

The Wellness Team