How to find a therapist and what to ask

How to find a therapist

An easy place to start is through your mental health benefits. If you’re reading this, you likely already know about the emotional wellbeing resources, tips and tools you can find here online. These include referrals to mental health providers. Your general practitioner can refer you, as well. Ask your primary care physician, gynecologist or other health expert.

In the above cases, they’ll do their best to connect you to the most appropriate mental health professional based on your needs, goals, resources and location.

You also can ask a friend or someone else you trust if they have any recommendations. Depending on why you’re seeing a therapist, you may want to see the same person as someone you know — or you may not. It’s, of course up, to you.

What to ask for the first visit

A good relationship with your therapist is vital for you to get what you want and need from therapy. During your first meeting, do your best to find out enough to decide if you want to schedule a follow-up visit.

Here are some questions to get you started. Feel free to skip the ones that don’t matter to you. Add your own questions, too.

• What is your approach to therapy?
• What can I expect from a typical session?
• What do you see as your role? What do you see as mine?
• What degrees and licenses do you hold? How long have you been in practice?
• I am looking for help with ____ [depression, anxiety, relationship problems, a life transition, etc.]. How much experience do you have working with people with these concerns?
• How do you include aspects of cultural identity, such as age, faith, gender or sexual orientation, into care?
• Are you familiar with my community’s beliefs, values and attitudes toward mental health? If not, are you willing to learn about my cultural background and respect my perspective?

Just as it is when you meet any new person, you might feel comfortable or feel a connection right away. Or you might know it’s not going to work.