Choosing the Right Therapist: Part 4
Another aspect of finding the right therapist includes the search process itself; the actual navigation of sorting through the dozens of options available, and the avenues through which you might look for a person to meet with and team up with in your counseling experience.
Some of the most significant client experiences come through word of mouth referrals; especially from individuals who have seen a particular therapist for counseling. Clinicians who are recommended by a friend who was or is a client, or a person connected to the therapist through their professional network are likely to be good choices in counselors.
There are many other ways to find a therapist:
- The Internet: Web searches and online profiles like Psychology Today and Theravive
- Insurance: In-network providers. Ask your insurance company for a provider list
- Personal Referral: Word of mouth
- Professional Referral: Word of mouth or advertisement
Often, potential clients want to utilize their health insurance as a means for funding therapy. This makes sense. It is definitely the most cost-friendly option. However, it is important to know that you are not necessarily limited to (and should not limit yourself) to your insurance company’s provider list. While there are many wonderful professionals who take various insurance plans, make sure you explore your out-of-network benefits. Learning how to utilize these benefits can greatly help you in finding a great therapist. If you don’t have to limit yourself to in-network providers, you open the playing-field for yourself. In many cases, with insurance, you have to meet a deductible before any benefits or co-pays kick in. In these cases, you might unnecessarily limit yourself to finding an in-network provider. It might make sense, in some cases, to pay out-of-pocket for your therapy. You can choose the provider you want, and not really pay more than you would by going through your insurance provider. In other cases, however, going in-network definately make the most sense. At Foundations Family Counseling, we are happy to look through your provider list and make referrals. If we are familiar with any of the clinicians in your network, we will gladly refer you to them!
Another common avenue is through the internet. Web searches are widely becoming one of the most popular means of finding a therapist, yet it is also one of the most flooded means; there are so many people and so many organizations to sort through. Again, asking helpful questions of your therapist can really aid in your search.
Some ways to begin the process of online filtering:
- Start with basic information: gender, age, ethnicity, location, price range, etc…
- Reach out and talk to prospective therapists.
- Read their profile and check out their website.
- Spend time getting to know them; see if what they’re saying resonates with you.
If you are looking for a great therapist, we have them! And we don’t take that statement lightly. There are so many really great therapists out there. To suggest that we have the corner on the market on good counseling is ridiculous. But our clinicians are awesome; personable, knowledgeable, expert, and inviting. They truly love what they do and genuinely care for their clients. Reach out to us by calling 303-393-0085 or email us at foundationsfamilycounseling1@gmail.com. We want to support you in getting the best help available!
~ Clinton J. Nunnally, LPC & Mikey Brackett, LPC
