Some people view getting help from a mental-health practitioner as a weakness or some kind of failure. This simply is not true. A therapist is a professional qualified to help you cope with issues as diverse as depression, anxiety, anger management, any number of addictions, eating disorders and family problems.
Step 1
Determine the kind of therapy you need. There are a wide variety of different counseling specialties and degrees, like Masters in Social Work (MSW), licensed professional counselors and psychologists, each of whom will have different payment scales and educational training. The kind of therapy you need will determine what kind of professional will best fit your needs.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medications and specialize in diagnosing mental and psychiatric illnesses. Not all psychiatrists do talk therapy. A psychologist could have a Ph.D. or Psy.D., which are advanced degrees. Psychologists can provide counseling and psychotherapy but are not authorized to prescribe medications. Some social workers operate in a similar fashion to psychologists by providing cognitive talk therapy. They typically have lower fees than psychologists.
Step 2
Check your insurance benefits (if you have insurance). You may need a referral from your general practitioner if you intend to get therapy covered by insurance. You may also have to choose a therapist from a list of mental-health practitioners provided by your insurance company.
Step 3
Ask yourself questions. Before calling therapists, ask yourself how long you think you want to be in therapy. The National Association of Cognitive-Behavior Therapists indicates that the average number of sessions for patients with all types of problems is 16 weeks. Are you more comfortable talking to a male or female? Would you prefer a middle-aged therapist versus a young therapist? Answering all of these personal questions ahead of time will help you choose a counselor that best fits your needs.
Step 4
Ask your prospective therapist questions. When you call a therapist to set up an appointment, don't hesitate to ask questions that will determine if you and this person can have a good relationship. You can ask if the therapist has experience working with a person with the issues you're dealing with or if this individual has a specific specialty. If you think that you will need long-term therapy, find out if this person is committed to working with you for as long as you need. And if you want a person who is consistently available---someone who doesn't take long vacations or cancels sessions for other work obligations---make that clear.
Tips and Warnings
- If you're not sure what kind of therapy will best address your needs, discuss your symptoms with your general practitioner and ask her for a referral to a therapist. If you are depressed, you may need to get a diagnosis from a psychiatrist. But if you are experiencing work-related stress and anxiety, you may benefit from speaking with a social worker, who can counsel you on coping and relaxation techniques. Goodtherapy.org, recommended by Mental Health America, can help you locate a therapist in your area.
- If you are in crisis now, call 800-273-TALK.
