How to Choose A Therapist: 8 Key Tips

I wrote this blog post to help break down the process into manageable steps. If you still have questions after reading the post, reach out to me.

The first thing to consider is how you want to engage in therapy. Many folks are gravitating toward online therapy these days. It is safe, effective, convenient, and oftentimes easier to get started. I started offering online therapy full-time at Delozier Psychological Services and Consultation, PLLC when I realized how much it was helping my clients to engage in therapy and reap its benefits.
In-person therapy on the other hand is the traditional model and might be a better fit. If you are wondering which type of therapy is right for you, check out this blog post I wrote on the topic.

Therapists can come with what seems like a dictionary of acronyms behind their names. Most are Master’s level therapists or counselors with an education background in counseling or social work. Some, like me, have a PhD in their field. For example, I am a Clinical Psychologist, meaning I have a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. We all have slightly different training and licensing requirements. The most important way of vetting a therapist is to see that they are licensed in their field. For example, you can find my licenses under the Therapy page of my website.

Find someone that is experienced in working with your needs if possible. For example if you are struggling with self-esteem and anxiety, you probably don’t need someone who specializes in combat-related PTSD. You want someone comfortable working with your age group and presenting problem.

Depending on your budget, you may need to go through your insurance company to find in-network providers.

If a provider does not use evidence-based strategies, that is a red flag. For example, I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is an evidence-based treatment for things like anxiety, depression, and other stress-related concerns. I also practice using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, amongst others.

Of all of my recommendations, this one comes down to intuition or “gut feelings”. If, after a few sessions you do not feel comfortable opening up to your therapist or feel that they are understanding your needs, it may not be a good fit. It is okay to say this and look for someone new. You can even ask for a referral. An ethical therapist will not take offense to this.

I have become more and more wary of therapists and agencies with an agenda over the past couple of years. Big Therapy agencies have been popping up. They are able to make a big splash due to deep pockets to pay for marketing, but many therapist (as well as the FTC) have legitimate concerns about the ethics of their employment, marketing, and privacy practices. If a service seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

If you choose online therapy, it can be helpful to know that the person you are working with has a verified online presence since you will not be meeting in person. They should only send you paperwork through a legitimate electronic health record portal. I use Simple Practice, which can easily be verified. My clients can also find that I am verified by Psychology Today easily. If you cannot find your online therapist anywhere other than their social media, you should be cautious.
If you are going with in-person therapy, you might consider asking for local references from other health professionals.

There you have it! I hope these 8 tips have helped.

Reach out to me with any unanswered questions and I will get back to you shortly.

-Dr. Alli

How To Choose A Therapist: 8 Key Tips