How to Pick a Therapist

CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR YOU

One of the best ways to get the names of prospective psychotherapists is recommendation by a friend, family member or your medical doctor. Once you have the names of several psychotherapists there are several questions you'll want to ask, including:

• Are you licensed by the state?
• Where did you get your training?
• How long have you been practicing?
• What areas do you specialize in (i.e., family therapy, marriage counseling, etc.)?
• What kind of treatment do you usually use, and why do you feel this would be effective for my situation?
• Will you talk to my family or significant other?
• How long would you expect my treatment to last?
• What are your fees?
• Will you accept my insurance or HMO coverage?
• Will you directly bill my insurance company?
• Do you have a sliding fee scale, or will you set up a payment plan?
• Is there someone I can talk to during an emergency? Can I call off hours during an emergency?

Once you've established the basics, it's important that you feel comfortable with the psychotherapist you choose, and that over time, you're able to develop a rapport with the psychotherapist since your treatment will involve working together as a team.