Updated on 11/15/2020
If you are reading this, you are probably hoping to start therapy with a psychologist, either for the first time, or after some time away. Making the decision to go to therapy takes courage,resilience, and self-awareness, so congratulations on making it to this point! Therapy can help you improve your life in so many different ways. Whether you’re trying to improve your communication skills, work through a specific problem, combat mental health concerns, or just have an unbiased person who you can speak to about anything, seeing a psychologist can help you greatly.
Before you start looking specifically for a psychologist near you, it’s important to decide on what kind of psychologist you are looking for and some of the attributes that are important to you. There is no right or wrong here — it’s all about identifying your particular needs and feeling empowered to make a choice that works for you. This is the perfect time for a bit of inner reflection, think about what you’re dealing with at the moment and which areas in your life could most benefit from speaking with a therapist.
Here are some factors to consider as you begin your search for a psychologist.
1. Psychologist or Psychiatrist?
Although both are mental health professionals, psychologists, and psychiatrists differ from one another. It’s important tounderstand the differences between the twobefore beginning your search and starting therapy. Psychologists have many specialties, but are most well-known for “talk therapy,” also known as psychotherapy. Talk therapy is a technique based on the understanding that talking about issues can bring clarity and a fresh perspective, sometimes even helping you uncover underlying conflicts in need of resolution. Psychiatrists, on the other hand, are more likely to diagnose any mental illness you may be experiencing and, because they’re medical doctors, have the ability to prescribe medication for you. However, if you do end up seeing a psychologist who thinks medication would be helpful for you, they canrefer you to your doctor or a psychiatristfor the necessary medication.
2. Licensure
During your search for a psychologist, you’ll want to make sure that your provider is licensed to practice in your state. Common psychologist licenses include Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (L.C.S.W.), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (L.M.F.T.), or Licensed Psychologists (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.).
3. Insurance and Affordability
Psychologists charge a wide range of rates and it’s important to consider your financial situation when selecting your therapist. If your insurance covers therapy, locating a psychologist who takes your insurance may be important to you. Unfortunately, not allinsurance companies cover therapywith a psychologist, and not all psychologists take insurance. Still, it’s always worth asking the psychologist’s office and speaking with your insurance provider to ensure you’re not left with a surprising bill. You can also discuss payment plans and sliding scale options with potential psychologists. If cost is a factor for you, you might want to consideronline therapy, typically more affordable than in-person therapy and is a convenient, felxible option.
4. Specialties
Consider your personal situation and think about what you need to most help with before searching for a psychologist. If you are struggling with a specific mental health issue such asanxietyordepression, you might want to find a psychologist who has experience treating patients with those challenges. Many psychologists specialize in more than one mental health issue, including alcoholism, eating disorders, PTSD,postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, and more.
5. Compatibility
Would you prefer a psychologist of a certain gender? A psychologist who has experience with LGBTQ+ issues? Do you want to see a psychologist who does couples therapy? These are all questions for you to consider as you search for a psychologist near you. Depending on your needs,a psychologist with a similar background might be beneficialto your therapeutic process. The good news is that there is almost always someone out there who can meet your specifications, just adjust your search criteria to find what you need most.
Now that you have a clearer sense of what you are looking for, how do you begin your search for the best psychologist near you?
Here are some better ways to go about searching for a psychologist near you:
1. Search Psychology Organizations
If you are using a psychologist listing site, you want to make sure it’s well respected and only lists licensed psychologists. Sites that fit the bill includeThe American Psychological Association’s therapy locator, theNational Register, and the listings atPsychology Today. Your state psychology association may keep their own listings as well.
2. Ask For a Referral
You can ask friends and trusted family members for referrals to help you find a reputable psychologist. Even if you don’t want to use the same psychologist they do, you can call that psychologist and askthemfor a referral. You can also ask your physician or other healthcare provider for referrals.
3. Get a List From Your Insurance Company
Online Option: Therapy on Your Own Terms
Sometimes there are too few options when it comes to psychologists near you. Maybe you can’t find anyone well suited to your needs, or perhaps — if you live in a rural place — all the psychologists in your area are still too distant, or maybe you are just too busy to make in-person appointments. Online therapy — therapy whenever and wherever you like — is a great option for anyone looking for a psychologist near them.
Like the most reputable traditional therapy options, online therapy companies such as Talkspace only employ psychologists who are fully licensed. A reputableonline therapy provider will connect you with an online psychologistwho is well equipped to treat the specific symptoms you are experiencing. You can also pick a psychologist who specializes in therapy modalities that are of interest to you, such asCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Many online psychologists even offercouples therapyor family therapy.
With online therapy, you can connect with your psychologist through a wide variety of ways depending on your preference. You can use text messages, via video or audio messaging, or even scheduled live video sessions. Online therapy has been shown to beas effectiveas traditional face-to-face therapy, and the best part is that you can do online therapy anywhere, anytime. If you are looking for a psychologist near you, what better place is there than the comfort of your own home?
The Choice Is Yours
Perhaps the best answer to the question “How can I find a psychologist near me?” is to go with your instincts. When choosing a psychologist, it’s all about finding someone who helps you feel safe in an environment where you feel comfortable. Sometimes going to therapy can be challenging (in a good way!), so you should always feel like your psychologist is someone you like,someone you respect, who treats you with kindness, and is someone you can get along with.
I know that it can feel daunting to begin your search for a therapist, but you will feel so much better once you find the right person to trust and speak to about your problems. As you search for a “psychologist near me,” allow yourself the time and space to interview several psychologists before selecting one. Remember that it’s OK to say “no” if the psychologist you pick isn’t the right fit. Sometimes the match just isn’t right and it just takes time and trial and error to find the right fit. At the end of the day, the goal is to have a psychologist you feel comfortable speaking to about anything that comes up. It’s your choice, and your choice matters. Most of all, keep the faith. When I was searching for help, I found many psychologists near me ready to help and I’m certain you’ll find the same.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
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