FAQ's
People have a lot of questions when they start therapy, especially if it's their first experience of seeking therapy. Read on to find helpful resources, and some general recommendations for those looking to make the most of their therapy experience.
How do I find a therapist?
Finding a therapist has been made easy by several online directories - Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Good Therapy. All these directories allow you to filter providers by various criteria to find the one you're looking for.
The other option is to find a directory of in-network therapist by accessing your insurance company's online portal or by calling their helpline. You can also look into Employee Assistance Programs by calling the human resources department at your place of work to see which mental health benefits are provided. See this article for a step by step process.
The other option is to find a directory of in-network therapist by accessing your insurance company's online portal or by calling their helpline. You can also look into Employee Assistance Programs by calling the human resources department at your place of work to see which mental health benefits are provided. See this article for a step by step process.
How do I choose a therapist?
You want to work with a therapist whom you like and trust during your initial interactions. Forming a good therapeutic alliance is key to a positive therapy experience. Finding a therapist who is a good match for you involves reflecting on whether you want your therapist to be of a specific gender, race, age or religion. It's ok to use these filters to get an initial list of providers that you are interested in working with. However, in case the 'perfect' provider isn't available, try and stay open to working with someone else.
Here is a comprehensive article to help you choose a therapist.
Here is a comprehensive article to help you choose a therapist.
What do all these letters behind a therapists' name mean?
The letters refer to the degrees that a provider has. Here is a short version of what the degrees mean:
- A psychiatrist will have Dr. before their name, has completed an MD, and prescribes medication.
- A psychologist will have Dr. before their name, has completed a Phd, Psyd (doctoral level studies) and are highly specialized or have expertise in specific areas of therapy.
- A Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist has completed a Masters (LCSW, LMFT), and offer counseling and a range of therapeutic approaches.
For a detailed understanding of different degrees and their meaning, see here. or read this for a quick summary. Remember to choose your therapist based on their degree and experience.
- A psychiatrist will have Dr. before their name, has completed an MD, and prescribes medication.
- A psychologist will have Dr. before their name, has completed a Phd, Psyd (doctoral level studies) and are highly specialized or have expertise in specific areas of therapy.
- A Social Worker or Marriage and Family Therapist has completed a Masters (LCSW, LMFT), and offer counseling and a range of therapeutic approaches.
For a detailed understanding of different degrees and their meaning, see here. or read this for a quick summary. Remember to choose your therapist based on their degree and experience.
What do the letters in treatment styles mean?
A therapists' treatment style (also called their theoretical orientation) is their way of understanding human behavior, and behavior change. Most therapists' will be trained in more than one treatment style, and integrate different treatment elements to tailor therapy to their clients' needs. Here is a short summary of the most popular treatment styles:
CBT: Cognitive and Behavior Therapy focuses on changes in thoughts and behaviors, and aims to identify distorted thinking which leads to distress. See more here.
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on acceptance of one's experiences, with a movement towards the changes and values that you want to see in your life. Read more about ACT here.
DBT: Dialectical and Behavior Therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy that uses mindfulness meditation,
distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal skills. See more here.
There are many different treatment styles, each with a different strategy and perspective on improving mental health. You can read more about them, but the best course is to discuss it with your therapist.
CBT: Cognitive and Behavior Therapy focuses on changes in thoughts and behaviors, and aims to identify distorted thinking which leads to distress. See more here.
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on acceptance of one's experiences, with a movement towards the changes and values that you want to see in your life. Read more about ACT here.
DBT: Dialectical and Behavior Therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy that uses mindfulness meditation,
distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal skills. See more here.
There are many different treatment styles, each with a different strategy and perspective on improving mental health. You can read more about them, but the best course is to discuss it with your therapist.
How do I pay for therapy? Can I use my insurance?
Therapy is an investment into your health, and requires financial resources. It's best to start by finding a therapist covered by your insurance. Ask your insurance for a directory of providers, and inquire about your co-pay, the number of sessions included in your plan, and the cost for seeing an out of network provider.
If you don't have insurance or are unable to use, it, the next option is to explore Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's), and disability benefits offered by your employer. Don't get discouraged by therapy fees, or delay seeking help. The long term benefits of improving your mental health are worth the cost.
Read more to explore options for seeking low cost therapy.
If you don't have insurance or are unable to use, it, the next option is to explore Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's), and disability benefits offered by your employer. Don't get discouraged by therapy fees, or delay seeking help. The long term benefits of improving your mental health are worth the cost.
Read more to explore options for seeking low cost therapy.
What are my goals for therapy?
Understanding and identifying your goals for therapy is a good way to get therapy started in the right direction. It's a good idea to have both short term and long term goals. The short term goals are often focused on relieving immediate distress, while the long term goals are focused on making changes in your behavior, thoughts and situation that promote lasting mental health. Goals can be fine-tuned or changed as therapy progresses. Goals help people stay accountable, determine if they are making progress, and allow people to focus on one are of improvement at a time without getting overwhelmed. Read this article to understand how goals can impact therapy progress.
Best Practices
Here are my go-to guidelines when trying to find a therapist.
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