Finding a therapist that works best for you can seem like a daunting task. However, with the search capabilities of the internet the process can be simplified. The St. Louis area has an abundance of therapists to choose from. Professional counseling can be done by licensed counselors, social workers, or psychologists. Also, some pastors/clerics feel comfortable conducting some types of therapy. There is a website: http://www.psychologytoday.com/www.psychologytoday.com; this website gives profiles of therapists. Therapists can be researched on this site by insurance companies, locations, and specializations. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when looking for a therapist.
Research:
Always do your research. The internet gives individuals search engines of various directories. Also, consider speaking with family or friends to see if they have any recommendations or referrals. Your family and friends know what type of person you are, so they might be able to recommend someone. If you are going to utilize your health insurance or EAP for counseling, those companies will have lists of authorized providers. You don't want to start seeing a therapist and then realize they are not credentialed by your insurance or EAP company.
Specialization:
Therapists are like most professions now days, where there are various specializations and specific credentialing. If you have a specific issue you want to work on, try to locate a therapist that specializes in it. In addition, if you want a specific type of treatment then see if there is a credentialing process for it. Just remember if you could start therapy thinking your problems are based on a particular issue, that could change during the therapy process. For example, you go to counseling for depression, but later realize this depression is due to previous abuse. Now, the point of focus on therapy needs to be directed towards abuse issues.
Office Format:
What type of counseling do you prefer? There is in office therapy, teletherapy(online), individual therapy, and group therapy. Also, consider if the therapist's hours meet your needs and how soon can you make an appointment. Do you need nighttime hours, weekend hours, or daytime hours? Plus, is the therapist's office easily assessable to you and a comfortable setting?
Therapist Characteristics and Treatment Approach:
Think about what type of characteristics of a therapist that will meet your needs. Do want a therapist that is dynamic, academic, religious, quiet, young, older, male, or female? There are many characteristics to consider. Also, is there a type of therapeutic approach that might work best for you such as cognitive, art, or music therapy? By having some type of introspective thoughts before locating a therapist will be able to simplify the process of choosing a therapist and find one that will make you feel comfortable.
Many therapists’ welcome potential clients contacting them for a brief 15-minute phone conversation prior to scheduling an appointment. This gives you an opportunity to have a brief conversation with a therapist to see if there is a mutual compatibility of expectations. In general, it is recommended to give a therapist 4 sessions before deciding to continue therapy or find a different therapist.
Note:
Licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists are licensed and regulated by each individual state. Therefore, contact can be made with the state licensing board to see if there have been any previous discipline actions taken against the therapist's state license. This information is of public record and available to the general community.